Washington Domestic Violence Survivors Say Courts Should Do More To Keep Guns Away From Abusers

[Joe Link]

Washington law prevents domestic violence abusers from possessing guns. But advocates for victims say the courts aren't doing enough to enforce the law.

Passed by the Washington state legislature in 2014, the law requires people with protection orders against them because of domestic abuse to temporarily surrender their firearms to law enforcement.

Advocates point to a case before the Washington Court of Appeals. After a protection order was issued against him, a man turned in 32 guns. But his wife said that was two shy of the 34 he owned.

The court ruled he was in compliance with the law because he had made "a substantial effort" to comply. His wife is appealing the ruling.

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[RicInOR]

• Ohio man throws his now ex-wife against a wall and knocks her down. He spends one day in jail, has not been convicted of a crime in the 20 years since. Does the federal ban on domestic violence misdemeanants owning firearms unconstitutionally burden his Second Amendment rights? Sixth Circuit: No. Dissent: None of the gov't's evidence shows that folks who haven't reoffended for decades are especially dangerous, and you need some evidence if you are going to take away a fundamental right.

The 6th does not cover Washington. But with the new laws where accusation leads to confiscation this may be an important ruling.