As gun owners, we understand there will be times when we will experience the lows in our lives that come from arguments, break-ups, divorce, death of a loved one or from personal pain, like back injuries or surgeries.

Most are able to keep those lows at bay, not allowing ourselves to fall down the rabbit hole. We learn to move on after a break-up, learn how to co-parent after a divorce and learn to live with constant pain without letting the drugs get the best of us.

Unfortunately, not every gun owner is able to pull themselves out of that funk. They may think they will never find another boy or girlfriend, or that their children would be better off without them in their lives. These emotions are just that, emotions.

Family and friends may start to worry about what you are saying, afraid you might use your gun to end your life.

Out of fear that you may hurt yourself, the “petitioner” calls the police and the “Red Flag Gun Protection Law,” also known in Colorado as the “Extreme Risk Protection Order” or ERPO goes into effect.

Approved by the courts, you will be mandated to hand in your firearm(s) for no less than 364 days! In that time ,you the “respondent” can motion the court once during the 364-day ERPO for a hearing to terminate the ERPO. Money will be spent on attorneys plus time lost from work.

The Person or “petitioner” that reported the original ERPO may request an extension of the ERPO before it expires! This could leave the petitioner without access to his or her gun for more than a year.

There's a better way!

“HoldMyGuns” is a non-profit organization that partners with FFL’s across the United States to provide voluntary firearms storage during times of crisis or personal need. They understand that we as humans go through ups and downs.

They believe that times of hardship should be met with an outpouring of compassion and camaraderie.

If someone you know is feeling down, talk to them about voluntarily storing their guns until they work through their hardship.

We want to protect your rights to keep your firearms without fighting the courts.

I will be applying to be a safe holder of your firearms until you are ready to have them back. The cost? Getting through the hardship and seeing the beauty of the days ahead.