How to Stop Mass Shootings
For decades, America has been searching for answers after each horrific mass shooting. The questions are always the same: Why didn’t someone step in? Weren’t there warning signs? Often, the answer is yes—someone noticed. But without the right tools, knowing isn’t the same as stopping.
There’s no single profile of a mass shooter. Not age, race, mental health diagnoses—none of it reliably predicts who might become violent. But behavior does. People who commit targeted violence frequently show red flags ahead of time: threats, fixation on weapons, sudden withdrawal, erratic behavior. The challenge is recognizing these signs early and acting before tragedy strikes.
That’s where two tools come in: Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), commonly known as red flag laws, and Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM). A new study released by 97Percent this week shows how moving beyond labels to focus on behavior is reshaping how communities can better address threats of violence and enhance the effectiveness of ERPOs.
What Are ERPOs?
ERPOs allow police—and in some states, family or healthcare professionals—to ask a judge to temporarily remove guns from someone who poses a serious risk. They are:
Civil, not criminal: No one is charged with a crime.
Rooted in due process: Judges weigh evidence and approve time-limited actions.
Proven: Studies show they help prevent suicides, domestic violence, and mass shootings.
But ERPOs are only as effective as the information behind them. And that’s where BTAM becomes essential.
What Is BTAM?
Originally developed by the U.S. Secret Service to prevent assassinations, BTAM helps identify serious threats based on patterns of behavior—not vague stereotypes or momentary outbursts. It’s now used in police departments, schools, and even corporate settings.
BTAM teams are trained to:
Spot warning signs like obsession with violence, threats, or isolation.
Assess how serious the threat is.
Coordinate interventions, whether that means support or legal action.
Put simply: BTAM sharpens the focus of ERPOs. It helps prevent misuse and ensures authorities act on real, credible risk.
Real Tools. Real Results.
We already know this works. ERPOs have stopped planned shootings and saved lives. When grounded in BTAM, they become even more precise and impactful. One real-world example: A high school student in Tennessee confided in a counselor about a potential school shooting. Because the counselor had BTAM training, she acted quickly and calmly—averting a tragedy.
This is the kind of intervention that can happen in communities across the country.
A Way Forward—Together
At a time when gun politics are deeply polarized, ERPOs and BTAM offer rare common ground. A recent 97Percent survey found that more than 70% of gun owners support red flag laws. These tools don’t demonize gun owners—they offer smart, targeted ways to address imminent threats without infringing on rights.
More than anything, this is about community. BTAM and ERPOs bring together teachers, mental health professionals, police, and courts to coordinate action that’s legal, swift, and compassionate.
What’s Next?
Training. To scale this solution, we need to ensure police, judges, school officials, and healthcare providers are equipped with BTAM skills and ERPO know-how. That’s why 97Percent is actively working with law enforcement agencies across the country to provide this training and build better protocols.
The Bottom Line
We don’t need to wait for the next tragedy to act. We already have the tools to prevent it. With smart training, cross-sector collaboration, and political will, we can use red flag laws and behavioral threat assessment to keep our communities safe—before the worst happens.