A better way to disarm batterers

Author: Lininger, T.
Publication: Hastings Law Journal
Topics: Domestic Violence Gun Carrying Law Enforcement Legislation and Policy Ownership U.S./National
Keywords: Brady law domestic abuser firearm regulation sentencing guidelines statute
Bibliographic information +

The author discussed two underutilized statutes, namely 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), enacted in 1994, which prohibits the possession of a firearm by a person who is subject to a restraining order meeting certain requirements, and 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), enacted in 1996, which prohibits the possession of a firearm by a person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime involving domestic violence. He argues that the effective enforcement of section 922(g) and section 922(g) requires revision of these statutes, the Brady law, and the applicable sentencing guidelines. After examining the background of the two sections, he explains the practical obstacles that have limited their effectiveness and suggests specific reforms so that the gun ban for domestic abusers is enforced.