In Maryland, lawmakers are currently advancing legislation aimed at enhancing the protection of domestic violence victims by mandating that those convicted of abuse surrender their firearms within two days of their conviction. This proposed law would enable judges to summon convicted abusers back to court within five days, where they must demonstrate compliance by proving they have relinquished their weapons.
Recently, Oregon took significant steps to address the so-called “boyfriend loophole,” which previously allowed certain convicted domestic abusers—those not married to or not having children with their victims—to retain their firearms. While Oregon had already prohibited gun ownership for individuals with domestic violence or stalking convictions since 2015, closing this loophole offers greater safety to women who may be threatened by abusive partners they are not legally tied to. As House Majority Leader Emily Carter (D) highlighted, “The severity of domestic violence does not diminish based on marital status.”
For many, it is a logical conclusion that domestic abusers should be required to surrender their firearms. Although federal law prohibits certain domestic abusers from possessing guns, enforcement relies heavily on state laws to ensure that these individuals actually relinquish their weapons. Alarmingly, as reported by Everytown for Gun Safety, only 15 out of 50 states currently mandate that abusers subject to final domestic violence restraining orders turn in their firearms.
Even though federal regulations disallow convicted domestic abusers from owning firearms, the absence of state laws requiring these individuals to surrender weapons they already possess creates a dangerous gap in protection. The implications of this loophole are dire—women in the U.S. face a significantly higher risk of being murdered by intimate partners, particularly with firearms involved; studies show that the presence of a gun in domestic violence situations increases the risk of homicide for women by a staggering 500 percent.
Guns are often used by abusers to intimidate and control their victims, regardless of whether they ever pull the trigger. Currently, approximately 4.5 million American women are living with the fear of being threatened with a firearm by an intimate partner. Moreover, research indicates a strong correlation between a history of domestic violence and the likelihood of future violent acts, including mass shootings.
Notably, many mass shooting perpetrators have a documented history of domestic violence, indicating that those who commit acts of violence often refine their behavior in the domestic sphere before escalating to larger public acts. It is evident that requiring convicted abusers to surrender their firearms is essential not only for protecting individual victims but also for safeguarding the broader community.
Studies have demonstrated that legislation restricting firearm access for individuals with domestic violence restraining orders can lead to a 25 percent decrease in intimate partner gun homicides. Additionally, interviews with petitioners for protective orders reveal that when judges mandate the surrender of firearms, compliance rates improve.
We must advocate for stricter gun control measures, not just in response to mass shootings but consistently at local and state levels. We can collectively become an unstoppable force for change. It is crucial that we vote with the understanding that the safety of our loved ones is on the line.
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Summary
The necessity for domestic abusers to surrender their firearms is underscored by new legislative efforts in states like Maryland and Oregon. With only a fraction of the states enforcing such laws, the risk to victims remains high. Advocating for gun control not only protects individuals but also enhances public safety overall.