Law Enforcement Executives’ Views of Domestic Violence Restraining Order Firearm Restrictions

• In Event: Describing, Reacting to, and Navigating Through Gun Policy

Abstract

Domestic violence restraining order (DVRO) firearm relinquishments are a promising strategy for improving the safety of domestic violence survivors. Police officers are often responsible for ensuring compliance with firearm relinquishments from people subjected to such restrictions. Therefore, it is critical to understand their views and knowledge of relinquishments but, to date, we have no research evidence concerning this issue. Accordingly, we surveyed chief law enforcement executives (i.e., chiefs and sheriffs) in three states (i.e., Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota) to determine what barriers and facilitators exist concerning the completion of DVRO firearm relinquishments. We will discuss the findings from this survey and the implications the results have for DVRO laws and gun relinquishment procedures for the police.

Authors

• Scott Wolfe, Michigan State University

• April Zeoli, Michigan State University