Red Flag Laws Explained: Can ERPOs Stop School Shootings?

What if preventing school shootings has far less to do with reacting… and everything to do with what happens long before? In this powerful episode of Stop the Killing, Katherine Schweit is joined by leading researchers from the University of Michigan Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention and the National Center for School Safety to unpack what the data actually tells us about stopping violence before it starts. This isn’t about headlines.This is about evidence, prevention, and what really works. Dr. Brianna Scott — Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Michigan Dr. Elyse Thulin — Research Assistant Professor, University of Michigan Dr. Sarah M. Stilwell — Researcher in Educational Psychology, University of Michigan Why school shootings are the end of a long chain of missed warning signs The role of anonymous reporting systems in preventing harm How school culture, belonging, and connection reduce violence risk The three critical environments: physical, social, and attentive Why most youth access to firearms comes from familiar homes And how early intervention can stop escalation before it becomes tragedy School shootings don’t begin with a weapon.They begin with missed opportunities to intervene earlier. Here are the resources mentioned in this episode — all worth exploring: Youth Empowerment Solutions (YES) Program (free curriculum download):👉 https://yes.sph.umich.edu/ ERPO Toolkit (Extreme Risk Protection Orders):👉 https://firearminjury.umich.edu/erpo-toolkit/ Secure Firearm Storage Toolkit:👉 https://firearminjury.umich.edu/safe-firearm-storage-toolkit-home/ National Center for School Safety:👉 https://www.nc2s.org/ Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention:👉 https://firearminjury.umich.edu/ Comprehensive School Safety Model:👉 https://www.nc2s.org/resource/a-positive-youth-development-approach-to-school-safety/ You don’t need to be an expert to prevent violence. 👉 Notice the signs👉 Speak up👉 Stay connected Because one action — one conversation — can change everything. National Center for School Safetyhttps://www.nc2s.org University of Michigan Institute for Firearm Injury Preventionhttps://firearminjury.umich.edu Relevant Resources and Links: Support us on Patreon for exclusive content and early access to episodes. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. More insights from Katherine Schweit: Katherine Schweit.. Website: Sarah Ferris Media Email: [email protected] Share: If you found this episode insightful, share it with someone who might benefit from it and join the conversation on social media. RESOURCES Stop the Bleed training FBI RUN, HIDE, FIGHT This is a Sarah Ferris Media production on the Killer Podcasts Network.Check out more Sarah Ferris Media productions: CONmunity podcast KLOOGHLESS - THE LONG CON GUILTY GREENIE THE BRAVERY ACADEMY WATCHING TWO DETECTIVES Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

⚠️ How many lives can Red Flag Laws actually save? A six-state study looked at how Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) are used to prevent violence and suicide. The finding was striking. For roughly every 13–18 ERPOs issued… one life was saved. Most often by preventing firearm suicide during a crisis moment. It’s still early research, but the evidence is increasingly clear:temporarily removing access to a gun during a crisis can reduce deaths. 🎙 We break down the research and how these laws work in the latest episode of Stop the Killing. Supporters can listen right now on Patreon👉 Patreon.com/stopthekilling Or listen on Apple Podcasts — simply click the link in the app. Because understanding the warning signs — and the tools that exist — could save lives. #StopTheKilling #RedFlagLaws #GunViolencePrevention #SchoolSafety #MassShootingPrevention #TrueCrimePodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

⚠️ Could a simple legal tool stop violence before it happens? Research into Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) — often called Red Flag Laws — is showing promising results. In states like Connecticut and Indiana, firearm suicides dropped 14% and 7.5% after these laws were introduced. Another multi-state study found that for roughly every 13–18 ERPOs issued, one life was saved. It’s early research — but the evidence is growing that temporarily removing access to firearms during a crisis can reduce deaths. 🎙 This conversation and the research behind it is explored in the latest episode of Stop the Killing. Supporters can listen right now on Patreon👉 Patreon.com/stopthekilling Or listen on Apple Podcasts — simply click the link in the app. Because understanding the warning signs — and the tools that exist — could save lives. #StopTheKilling #SchoolSafety #RedFlagLaws #GunViolencePrevention #TrueCrimePodcast #MassShootingPrevention Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if there was a legal tool designed to stop a mass shooting before it happens? In this episode of Stop the Killing, former FBI executive Katherine Schweit sits down with leading researchers studying gun violence prevention to explain Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) — often referred to as Red Flag Laws. These laws allow courts to temporarily restrict firearm access for people who are considered a risk to themselves or others. But how do they actually work? And can they help prevent tragedies like school shootings? Our guests from the University of Michigan Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention and the National Center for School Safety break down the research, the misconceptions, and the real-world impact of these laws. The conversation also explores why school safety goes far beyond metal detectors and lockdown drills, and why evidence shows that prevention must involve families, schools, communities, and early intervention strategies. If you’ve ever wondered whether mass shootings can actually be prevented — and what role communities can play — this episode provides crucial insight. Michael HoltzProgram Manager – Michigan Firearm Law Implementation ProgramUniversity of Michigan Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention Stephen Oliphant, PhDResearch InvestigatorUniversity of Michigan Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention Sarah StillwellResearch InvestigatorNational Center for School Safetyand the University of Michigan Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention What Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) actually are Why ERPOs are often misunderstood as “gun confiscation laws” The research showing reductions in firearm suicides How ERPOs may help prevent mass shootings Why some states use these laws far more than others What the data says about school safety strategies Why anonymous reporting systems may be more effective than metal detectors The importance of community awareness and early intervention National Center for School Safetyhttps://www.nc2s.org University of Michigan Institute for Firearm Injury Preventionhttps://firearminjury.umich.edu Relevant Resources and Links: Support us on Patreon for exclusive content and early access to episodes. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. More insights from Katherine Schweit: Katherine Schweit.. Website: Sarah Ferris Media Email: [email protected] Share: If you found this episode insightful, share it with someone who might benefit from it and join the conversation on social media. RESOURCES Stop the Bleed training FBI RUN, HIDE, FIGHT This is a Sarah Ferris Media production on the Killer Podcasts Network.Check out more Sarah Ferris Media productions: CONmunity podcast KLOOGHLESS - THE LONG CON GUILTY GREENIE THE BRAVERY ACADEMY WATCHING TWO DETECTIVES Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When we talk about gun violence, we count the dead.We count the injured.We debate the laws. But what about the financial cost? In this episode, former FBI executive Katherine Schweit examines the hidden economic impact of gun violence in America — from multi-million-dollar settlements to bankrupt gun manufacturers. Using real cases including: The 2022 Buffalo Tops Supermarket shooting The $73 million Sandy Hook settlement The $10 million award to a teacher shot by a 6-year-old student Lawsuits involving ghost guns, straw purchases, and firearm accessories Katherine breaks down: ✔ What the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) actually protects✔ Why a gun accessory manufacturer paid $1.75 million✔ How liability law is evolving✔ Whether firearm companies should be shielded from responsibility✔ And what shifting financial risk could mean for the future of gun policy This isn’t a debate about the Second Amendment.It’s a conversation about accountability, insurance, and the true cost of doing business in a country flooded with firearms. Because beyond grief and trauma — there is an economic impact. And someone always pays. Gun violence financial impact Firearm manufacturer liability PLCAA explained Sandy Hook lawsuit settlement Buffalo supermarket shooting 2022 Ghost guns and legal accountability Straw purchases and gun dealer liability School shooting lawsuits Insurance requirements for gun owners Economic cost of gun violence in America Relevant Resources and Links: Support us on Patreon for exclusive content and early access to episodes. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. More insights from Katherine Schweit: Katherine Schweit.. Website: Sarah Ferris Media Email: [email protected] Share: If you found this episode insightful, share it with someone who might benefit from it and join the conversation on social media. SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS, SUPPORTS THE PODCAST CRIMECON UK TICKETS HERE CRIMECON US TICKETS HERE DON’T forget to use DISCOUNT CODE “FERRIS” RESOURCES Stop the Bleed training FBI RUN, HIDE, FIGHT This is a Sarah Ferris Media production on the Killer Podcasts Network.Check out more Sarah Ferris Media productions: CONmunity podcast KLOOGHLESS - THE LONG CON GUILTY GREENIE THE BRAVERY ACADEMY WATCHING TWO DETECTIVESGun Violence, Firearm Law, Sandy Hook, Buffalo Shooting, School Safety, Second Amendment, Public Policy, Crime Prevention, Legal Analysis, True Crime Education Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As major religious holidays approach — Ramadan, Eid, Passover, and Easter — security agencies often raise threat assessments. Former FBI executive Katherine Schweit explains why periods of global conflict and major faith gatherings can increase security risks, and what simple awareness steps families can take to stay safe. This quick Stop the Killing bonus episode looks at how threat assessments work — and why being alert, not afraid, is one of the most important tools for public safety. Relevant Resources and Links: Support us on Patreon for exclusive content and early access to episodes. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. More insights from Katherine Schweit: Katherine Schweit.. Website: Sarah Ferris Media Email: [email protected] Share: If you found this episode insightful, share it with someone who might benefit from it and join the conversation on social media. SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS, SUPPORTS THE PODCAST CRIMECON UK TICKETS HERE CRIMECON US TICKETS HERE DON’T forget to use DISCOUNT CODE “FERRIS” RESOURCES Stop the Bleed training FBI RUN, HIDE, FIGHT This is a Sarah Ferris Media production on the Killer Podcasts Network.Check out more Sarah Ferris Media productions: CONmunity podcast KLOOGHLESS - THE LONG CON GUILTY GREENIE THE BRAVERY ACADEMY WATCHING TWO DETECTIVES Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When a school shooting happens, the focus is usually on the gunman. But what happens when the parents are held responsible too? In this episode of Stop the Killing, former FBI executive Katherine Schweit examines the landmark conviction of a father following the Apalachee High School shooting in Georgia, where two students and two teachers were killed in September 2024. The case raises a question that is reshaping the legal landscape in the United States: Can parents be criminally liable for the actions of their children? Following a two-week trial and just two hours of jury deliberation, the father of the alleged teenage shooter was convicted on multiple charges including involuntary manslaughter and second-degree murder. In this episode, we unpack: Why prosecutors argued the father was criminally negligent How this case compares to the Oxford High School shooting parents’ convictions The warning signs that appeared before the tragedy The legal concept of parental liability in school shootings What threat assessment teams can do to prevent violence Why prosecutors may increasingly charge parents in future cases This episode explores the difficult but urgent question: Where does responsibility begin — and where does it end — when a child commits an act of mass violence? Because the legal system may be entering a new era where parental decisions can carry criminal consequences. Apalachee High School shooting Parents charged in school shootings Criminal negligence and gun ownership Oxford High School shooting parents case Warning signs before mass violence Threat assessment teams in schools Gun access and youth violence prevention Legal accountability in school shootings Relevant Resources and Links: Support us on Patreon for exclusive content and early access to episodes. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. More insights from Katherine Schweit: Katherine Schweit. Website: Sarah Ferris Media Email: [email protected] Share: If you found this episode insightful, share it with someone who might benefit from it and join the conversation on social media. RESOURCES Stop the Bleed training FBI RUN, HIDE, FIGHT This is a Sarah Ferris Media production on the Killer Podcasts Network.Check out more Sarah Ferris Media productions: CONmunity Podcast KLOOGHLESS - THE LONG CON GUILTY GREENIE THE BRAVERY ACADEMY WATCHING TWO DETECTIVES Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A small town in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia has been devastated. An 18-year-old killed their mother and stepbrother before entering a local school. By the end of the day, six students, one teacher, and the shooter were dead. Twenty-five others were injured. In total, ten lives were lost. In this episode of Stop the Killing, former head of the FBI’s Active Shooter Program Katherine Schweit examines what we know so far about the Canada school shooting — and what communities can learn from it. We explore: Reported warning signs prior to the attack Mental health gaps and intervention challenges Canada’s firearm licensing system How Canadian gun laws compare to the United States The role of online violent content What parents and schools should watch for School shootings are rare in Canada. The last comparable tragedy of this scale occurred in 1989. That rarity can create a dangerous belief: “It can’t happen here.” But prevention starts long before a trigger is pulled. This episode focuses on awareness, intervention, and the practical steps communities can take to reduce risk. Relevant Resources and Links: Support us on Patreon for exclusive content and early access to episodes. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. More insights from Katherine Schweit: Katherine Schweit. The Gold Shields Podcast with Tom Smith. Website: Sarah Ferris Media Email: [email protected] Share: If you found this episode insightful, share it with someone who might benefit from it and join the conversation on social media. SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS, SUPPORTS THE PODCAST CRIMECON UK TICKETS HERE CRIMECON US TICKETS HERE DON’T forget to use DISCOUNT CODE “FERRIS” RESOURCES Stop the Bleed training FBI RUN, HIDE, FIGHT This is a Sarah Ferris Media production on the Killer Podcasts Network.Check out more Sarah Ferris Media productions: CONNING THE CON KLOOGHLESS - THE LONG CON GUILTY GREENIE THE BRAVERY ACADEMY WATCHING TWO DETECTIVES Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(Re-Release – Companion Episode) If you’ve listened to our recent update on Stop the Killing and want a clear, detailed reminder of what actually happened in Uvalde, this episode is for you. In this companion re-release, former FBI executive and use-of-force expert Katherine Schweit walks listeners through the full factual timeline of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas — drawing directly from the U.S. Department of Justice’s extensive Critical Incident Review. Rather than headlines or speculation, this episode breaks down: What law enforcement knew — and when How an active shooter was repeatedly misclassified as a barricaded subject The complete 77-minute delay between first police entry and the shooter being stopped The absence of command and control, despite dozens of officers on scene Why training, leadership, and communication failures compounded minute by minute How misinformation spread among responders, families, and medical teams What the DOJ identified as systemic breakdowns, not individual hindsight errors This episode also explains — in plain language — the critical difference between: Active shooter response (immediate engagement to stop the killing), and Barricaded subject protocols (containment and negotiation) A distinction that mattered enormously — and tragically — in Uvalde. For listeners following the current conversation and updates, this episode provides the essential context needed to understand: Why Uvalde remains a case study in what must never happen again How failures in leadership and coordination can override training What lessons the DOJ says must be learned to prevent future loss of life This is not an opinion piece.It is a fact-driven reconstruction, based on hundreds of pages of official findings, and presented to ensure the truth is understood — not forgotten. Stop the Killing examines critical incidents involving deadly force through the lens of experience, evidence, and accountability. Hosted by journalist Sarah Ferris and former FBI executive Katherine Schweit, the podcast focuses on what actually happened, why it matters, and how future tragedies can be prevented. Resources & Links: Support us on Patreon for exclusive content and early access to episodes. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. More insights from Katherine Schweit: Katherine Schweit. Stop the Bleed training. FBI: RUN, HIDE, FIGHT. CrimeCon UK Tickets — Use DISCOUNT CODE “FERRIS” for a special offer! Check out more from Sarah Ferris Media: Conning the Con Klooghless: The Long Con Guilty Greenie Watching Two Detectives The Bravery Academy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Uvalde Verdict: What the Decision Really Means The verdict is in. In this episode of Stop the Killing, former FBI executive and use-of-force expert Katherine Schweit breaks down the legal outcome of the Uvalde case — what the verdict establishes, what it doesn’t, and why accountability in cases like this is so often misunderstood. This is not reactionary commentary. It’s a clear-eyed explanation of how deadly force law, command responsibility, and policy failures intersect — and why public expectations and legal reality rarely align. 🔁 Want the full story?Our comprehensive deep-dive into the Uvalde shooting — covering the full timeline, systemic failures, and command breakdowns — is available right now for Apple and Patreon subscribers and releases tomorrow on the public feed. In this episode: What the verdict legally confirms — and what it leaves unresolved Why criminal and civil accountability don’t operate the same way How policy failures shaped the outcome What this case means for future active-shooter response standards If you want clarity instead of outrage, this episode is essential listening. Related episodes: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/stop-the-killing/s4e48-the-uvalde-shooting-a-comprehensive-analysis Resources & Links: Support us on Patreon for exclusive content and early access to episodes. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. More insights from Katherine Schweit: Katherine Schweit. Stop the Bleed training. FBI: RUN, HIDE, FIGHT. CrimeCon UK Tickets — Use DISCOUNT CODE “FERRIS” for a special offer! Check out more from Sarah Ferris Media: CONmunity Podcast Klooghless: The Long Con Guilty Greenie Watching Two Detectives The Bravery Academy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices