The Origins of California's Gun Violence Restraining Order Law: a Case Study Using Kingdon's Multiple Streams Framework

Overview

Journal BMC Public Health

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Public Health

Date 2023 Jun 30

PMID 37391789

Authors

Elizabeth A Tomsich

Veronica A Pear

Julia P Schleimer

Garen J Wintemute

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Firearm violence is a major public health problem in the United States, yet most states lack a mechanism to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who are at high and imminent risk of harming themselves or others and are not otherwise prohibited. Extreme risk protection order (ERPO) laws are intended to close this gap. The current study examines the passage of California's gun violence restraining order (GVRO) bill using Kingdon's multiple streams framework.

Methods: This study was based on an analysis of interview data from six key informants involved in the passage of the GVRO legislation.

Results: Findings indicate policy entrepreneurs framed the problem and designed the policy to target individuals at behavioral risk of imminent firearm violence. Policy entrepreneurs comprised an integrated policy network that engaged in a lengthy period of collaboration and bargained with interest groups to yield a bill that satisfied diverse concerns.

Conclusions: This case study may inform efforts in other states to pass ERPO policies and other firearm safety laws.

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