Ramsey County officials highlighted new procedures for enforcing Red Flag Laws throughout the county at a news conference Thursday.

The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office (RCAO) brought together more than 150 stakeholders on new countywide protocols to maximize use of Minnesota’s new Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO), also known as the Flag Law Red.

the law came into effect this year and created tools to obtain a court-ordered surrender of firearms in certain situations where lives may be at stake.

“In Ramsey County, we view the new law that allows a judge to temporarily remove a firearm from an individual in extreme and dangerous situations to be a valuable public safety tool,” said Ramsey County Prosecutor John Choi. . “It is clear to me that the first step is to be intentional and serious in the use of this new public safety tool. I am grateful that Ramsey County leaders are all on the same page and we are moving in the same direction, as evidenced by participation in today’s call and training on our new policies, procedures and protocols to identify risk situations extreme and execute court orders. in appropriate circumstances to protect the public. “I look forward to informing the public in the years to come about our progress in keeping people safe from gun violence.”

The Red Flag Law can protect members of a household from self-harm or harm to others, as well as intervene to prevent potential mass shootings, according to the RCAO. An ERPO can be filed by a family or household member, a police chief, a city or county prosecutor, or a guardian.

RELATED: Dozens of Extreme Risk Protection Orders Filed Since Red Flag Laws

Choi is assigning Senior Deputy County Attorney Dawk Bakst to coordinate ERPO training, policy and implementation countywide.

The RCAO states that law enforcement agencies that refer cases to the office will indicate whether an ERPO is appropriate and then the office will determine if the situation meets the requirements for an ERPO. The attorney’s office will also support agencies with the filing of ERPOs in situations outside of a criminal incident or investigation.

“The ERPO has the potential to be an important tool for our officers and others who deal with people with firearms and threats on a daily basis,” said St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry. “This only works with the support and participation of the RCAO and the St. Paul City Attorney’s Office. “This is an additional tool for us and others to create greater safety for our community members.”

Click here for more information on ERPOs from the Ramsey County Prosecutor’s Office.