Do law restricting access to firearms by domestic violence offenders prevent intimate partner homicide?

Author: Vigdor, Elizabeth Richardson / Mercy, James A.
Publication: Evaluation Review
Link to Published Abstract
Topics: Domestic Violence Gender Homicide Legislation and Policy Surveillance/Data Collection U.S./National
Keywords: CONFISCATIONS CRIME FAMILY violence FIREARMS -- Law & legislation HOMICIDE
Bibliographic information +

The authors examined counts of intimate partner homicides by state from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Supplementary Homicide Report files for the years 1982 through 2002 in order to analyze the impact of three types of law on intimate partner homicide. After a state passes a law restricting access to firearms by abusers, total intimate partner homicide rates are lower by 8%, or an average of 2.9 homicides per year. Female intimate partner homicide rates are 8% lower (2.0 homicides per year), and female firearm intimate partner homicide rates are 10% lower (1.6 homicides per year). There was no evidence of effect from the domestic violence misdemeanor laws or laws that allow police to confiscate firearms at a domestic violence scene.