Recent state laws on domestic abuse, gun rights

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Specifics of the state laws passed during the last two years that are intended to make it harder for people convicted or suspected of domestic violence to access firearms:

ALABAMA

Republican Gov. Robert Bentley approved a measure banning possession of firearms by those convicted of domestic violence offenses, stalking or child abuse, as well as by some individuals who are subject to domestic abuse protection orders. Those provisions were included in a larger pro-gun bill. That bill allowed people with concealed carry permits to keep firearms in their vehicles and repealed some pistol registration requirements, among other changes.

DELAWARE

Democratic Gov. Jack Markell signed a bill in October that bans people who commit misdemeanor domestic violence crimes against their current or former dating partners or roommates from possessing guns for five years. The law, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2017, also will require certain people who are subject to protective orders to surrender their weapons within 24 hours and verify to the court that they have done so.

LOUISIANA

Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal signed a law in 2014 that prohibits firearm possession for those convicted of "domestic abuse battery" for 10 years after the completion of the sentence. The law also prohibits some people who are subject to domestic violence protective orders from owning guns.

http://www.newsminer.com/news/alaska_news/recent-state-laws-on-domestic-abuse-gun-rights/article_c0274c05-ff72-5171-afb1-e8f71617963a.html

Q&A on state laws meant to keep guns from domestic abusers

During the last two years, 13 states have passed laws meant to help keep firearms out of the hands of domestic abusers.

Federal law strips gun rights from felons, anyone convicted of domestic violence-related misdemeanors and those who are subject to permanent domestic violence protective orders. Many states are passing their own laws that often go further.

Some questions and answers about the legislative push in states:

WHY ISN'T THE FEDERAL LAW ENOUGH?

For starters, barriers to enforcement. Local police and prosecutors do not bring cases under federal law and want their own charging authority under state law. The federal law also does not strip firearms rights from those who abuse their dating partners, those convicted of misdemeanor stalking or those who are subject to temporary protective orders and have not yet had a hearing. In addition, the federal law fails to spell out procedures for ensuring that existing guns are seized or surrendered.

http://www.newsminer.com/news/alaska_news/q-a-on-state-laws-meant-to-keep-guns-from/article_a9baadc8-dac7-5f81-8eb9-0f0901510ee9.html

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