Vermont restricting domestic abusers’ access to guns

But Michigan State University legal expert April Zeoli says Michigan has no law to ensure those barred by a judge from owning guns in domestic violence cases don’t have them.

“We know having access to a firearm in a domestic violence assault case increases the likelihood of homicide and suicide significantly”, Oxborrow said.

Nevada is among 13 states that have tightened restrictions in the last two years to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers.

“Domestic violence is definitely an area where there is the most agreement between the gun lobby and gun-violence prevention advocates”, said Allison Anderman, staff attorney with the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence in San Francisco.

“If we put more guns in homes where domestic violence is occurring, we’ll see more deaths”.

Federal Bureau of Investigation data analyzed by The Associated Press shows a total of 39 people in Utah were killed with guns by their spouses, ex-spouses and dating partners between 2006 and 2014. That figure is an undercount because not all departments voluntarily report the information, and it does not include children and other bystanders who were killed.

In 2009, Maryland enacted a law requiring a judge to order firearms to be confiscated from people who have final protective orders filed against them for as long as the order is in effect.

Over the last two years, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Delaware and New Hampshire are among the states that established laws providing guidance about making sure domestic abusers or people under domestic abuse protective orders turn over their guns.

In 2013, Maryland lawmakers passed a sweeping gun-control measure. Other laws are silent on this issue, which makes the gun ban hard to enforce.

The Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence is holding its 28th Annual Domestic Violence Memorial Service in Annapolis on Monday night to remember the women, men and children who died in Maryland from domestic abuse.

Vilos said the focus shouldn’t be on laws but on establishing a culture where domestic violence victims are taught how to protect themselves, Vilos said.

But the silence on making abusers hand over guns is a risky hole in the law, according to Everytown for Gun Safety lawyer Jonas Oransky.

Ayers, who was shot in the face and the leg, said she constantly thinks about her son, who loved tractors and puzzles.