The Law
Domestic violence and firearms are a lethal combination. Federal, and some state and tribal, laws include critical provisions designed to reduce firearm-related harms for victims, survivors, their families, first responders, and communities. These laws are often complex, and it can be a challenge to understand and navigate their nuances.
The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and Firearms offers educational materials, training, and technical assistance to help stakeholders and communities better understand the intricacies of these laws and how they intersect. We keep a close watch on trends in legislation and case law, ensuring that our resources reflect the most current legal landscape. As this area of law continues to evolve, our goal is to provide up-to-date information that empowers practitioners, policymakers, and advocates to implement and enforce these legal protections effectively.
Foundational Resources
A Brief History and Framework of Federal Firearms Laws Addressing Intimate Partner Violence
Federal law provides a framework to keep guns out of the hands of those who perpetrate domestic violence. Those laws can be complex to understand. This resource provides a basic explanation of the current federal firearms laws that address intimate…
A Summary of Pivotal Cases Decided by the United States Supreme Court — Domestic Violence and Firearms
Supreme Court Decisions Dealing Directly With Firearms and Domestic Violence United States v. Hayes, 555 U.S. 415 (2009). The Supreme Court affirmed the constitutionality of a federal law barring people convicted of domestic violence crimes from owning guns. The Court…
State Laws on Domestic Violence and Firearms: Partnership with Giffords Law Center
The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and Firearms partners with Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence for up-to-date state laws on domestic violence and firearms. Giffords Law Center tracks state and federal laws on domestic violence and…