Protective Orders + Firearm Prohibitions

Select from the categories in the left-hand bar to view which states have certain policies, select a single state to learn more about that state’s policies, or select more than one state to compare their policies.

FILTERS

  • PROHIBITORS?
  • ? Prohibition
    • Possession
    • Purchase
  • REMOVAL?
  • ? Relationship
  • ? Type of Order
  • ? Judicial Authority
  • ? Removal Process

Alabama

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • No Dating
    • No Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • No Final
    • No Authorized
    • No Required
    • No Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Alaska

Alaska may prohibit possession of a firearm if the court finds the respondent was in actual possession of or used a weapon during the commission of domestic violence.

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • Yes Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • Yes Authorized
    • No Required
    • Yes Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Arizona

Arizona court may prohibit purchase or possession of a firearm if certain criteria are met.

  • Prohibitors
    • Yes Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • Yes Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • Yes Authorized
    • No Required
    • Yes Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Arkansas

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • No Purchase
  • Removal
    • No Dating
    • No Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • No Final
    • No Authorized
    • No Required
    • No Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

California

  • Prohibitors
    • Yes Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • Yes Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • Yes Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • No Authorized
    • Yes Required
    • No Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Colorado

  • Prohibitors
    • Yes Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • No Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • Yes Authorized
    • No Required
    • Yes Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Connecticut

  • Prohibitors
    • Yes Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • Yes Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • Yes Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • No Authorized
    • Yes Required
    • Yes Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Washington DC

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • Yes Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • Yes Authorized
    • No Required
    • Yes Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Delaware

A court issuing an ex parte order may prohibit purchase or possession.

  • Prohibitors
    • Yes Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • Yes Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • Yes Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • Yes Authorized
    • No Required
    • No Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Florida

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • No Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • Yes Authorized
    • No Required
    • Yes Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Georgia

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • No Purchase
  • Removal
    • No Dating
    • No Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • No Final
    • No Authorized
    • No Required
    • No Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Hawaii

  • Prohibitors
    • Yes Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • Yes Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • Yes Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • No Authorized
    • Yes Required
    • No Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Idaho

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • No Purchase
  • Removal
    • No Dating
    • No Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • No Final
    • No Authorized
    • No Required
    • No Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Illinois

Illinois court issuing order may prohibit possession

  • Prohibitors
    • Yes Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • Yes Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • Yes Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • Yes Authorized
    • No Required
    • No Surrender
    • Yes Seizure

Learn More

Indiana

Indiana may prohibit possession

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • Yes Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • Yes Authorized
    • No Required
    • Yes Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Iowa

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • No Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • No Authorized
    • Yes Required
    • Yes Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Kansas

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • No Dating
    • No Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • No Final
    • No Authorized
    • No Required
    • No Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Kentucky

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • No Purchase
  • Removal
    • No Dating
    • No Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • No Final
    • No Authorized
    • No Required
    • No Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Louisiana

Louisiana prohibits possession if the order includes a finding that the respondent represents a credible threat to the physical safety of a family member, household member, or dating partner and the order informs the respondent that he or she is prohibited from possessing a firearm pursuant to federal and state law.

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • Yes Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • No Authorized
    • Yes Required
    • Yes Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Maine

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • No Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • Yes Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • Yes Authorized
    • No Required
    • No Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Maryland

Removal for temporary is authorized. Removal for final is required. Mayland may prohibit possession for ex parte orders.

  • Prohibitors
    • Yes Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • Yes Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • Yes Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • Yes Authorized
    • Yes Required
    • Yes Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Massachusetts

  • Prohibitors
    • Yes Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • Yes Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • Yes Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • No Authorized
    • Yes Required
    • Yes Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Michigan

The court may prohibit purchase and possession

  • Prohibitors
    • Yes Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • No Dating
    • No Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • No Final
    • No Authorized
    • No Required
    • No Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Minnesota

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • Yes Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • No Authorized
    • Yes Required
    • Yes Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Mississippi

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • No Purchase
  • Removal
    • No Dating
    • No Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • No Final
    • No Authorized
    • No Required
    • No Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Missouri

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • No Purchase
  • Removal
    • No Dating
    • No Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • No Final
    • No Authorized
    • No Required
    • No Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Montana

Court issuing the order may prohibit possession if the firearm was issued in an assault.

  • Prohibitors
    • Yes Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • No Dating
    • No Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • No Final
    • No Authorized
    • No Required
    • No Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Nebraska

Court issuing the order may prohibit purchase and possession.

  • Prohibitors
    • Yes Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • No Dating
    • No Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • No Final
    • No Authorized
    • No Required
    • No Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Nevada

Court may prohibit possession.

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • No Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • Yes Authorized
    • No Required
    • No Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

New Hampshire

Court issuing an ex parte order may prohibit purchase and possession.

  • Prohibitors
    • Yes Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • Yes Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • Yes Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • Yes Authorized
    • Yes Required
    • No Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

New Jersey

Court issuing ex parte order may prohibit purchase and possession.

  • Prohibitors
    • Yes Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • Yes Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • Yes Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • Yes Authorized
    • Yes Required
    • No Surrender
    • Yes Seizure

Learn More

New Mexico

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • Yes Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • No Authorized
    • Yes Required
    • Yes Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

New York

Court shall prohibit purchase and possession under certain circumstances.

  • Prohibitors
    • Yes Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • Yes Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • Yes Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • No Authorized
    • Yes Required
    • Yes Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

North Carolina

  • Prohibitors
    • Yes Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • Yes Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • Yes Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • No Authorized
    • Yes Required
    • Yes Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

North Dakota

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • No Purchase
  • Removal
    • Yes Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • Yes Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • Yes Authorized
    • No Required
    • Yes Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Ohio

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • No Purchase
  • Removal
    • Yes Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • Yes Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • Yes Authorized
    • No Required
    • Yes Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Oklahoma

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • No Purchase
  • Removal
    • No Dating
    • No Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • No Final
    • No Authorized
    • No Required
    • No Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Oregon

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • No Dating
    • No Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • No Final
    • No Authorized
    • No Required
    • No Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Pennsylvania

  • Prohibitors
    • Yes Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • Yes Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • Yes Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • Yes Authorized
    • Yes Required
    • Yes Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Rhode Island

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • Yes Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • Yes Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • Yes Authorized
    • No Required
    • Yes Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

South Carolina

Only if the court makes specific findings.

  • Prohibitors
    • Yes Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • No Dating
    • No Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • No Final
    • No Authorized
    • No Required
    • No Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

South Dakota

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • No Purchase
  • Removal
    • Yes Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • Yes Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • Yes Authorized
    • No Required
    • Yes Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Tennessee

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • No Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • No Authorized
    • Yes Required
    • Yes Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Texas

  • Prohibitors
    • Yes Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • No Dating
    • No Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • No Final
    • No Authorized
    • No Required
    • No Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Utah

  • Prohibitors
    • Yes Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • No Dating
    • No Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • No Final
    • No Authorized
    • No Required
    • No Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Vermont

Court may prohibit.

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • Yes Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • Yes Authorized
    • No Required
    • Yes Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Virginia

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • No Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • No Authorized
    • Yes Required
    • Yes Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Washington

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • Yes Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • Yes Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • Yes Authorized
    • Yes Required
    • Yes Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

West Virginia

  • Prohibitors
    • Yes Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • Yes Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • Yes Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • Yes Authorized
    • No Required
    • Yes Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Wisconsin

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • Yes Purchase
  • Removal
    • Yes Dating
    • Yes Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • Yes Final
    • No Authorized
    • Yes Required
    • No Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Wyoming

  • Prohibitors
    • No Posession
    • No Purchase
  • Removal
    • No Dating
    • No Domestic
    • No Ex Parte
    • No Final
    • No Authorized
    • No Required
    • No Surrender
    • No Seizure

Learn More

Federal Domestic Violence Firearm Law

Violence against intimate partners and family members is a public health crisis, and, given the accessibility and availability of guns in America, this violence is often perpetrated with a firearm. Firearms can be used to intimidate, control, coerce, threaten, injure, and kill intimate partners. Indeed, the presence of a firearm in the home increases the likelihood that domestic violence (DV) will escalate into a homicide by fivefold.1 Over one-third of American women have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime — more than 40 million people.2 More than 20% of American women have experienced severe physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner.3 While most survive these traumatic events, far too many do not.

Learn More »

Pennsylvania passes new dv firearm removal law!

In October 2018, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed a bipartisan bill into law addressing the dangerous intersection of guns and domestic violence. The bill requires those convicted of violent misdemeanors and those who are the subject of final restraining orders to surrender their guns within 24 hours.

Active Protection Orders

In 2015, there were 907,300 active protection orders in the National Crime Information Center for the United States, District of Columbia, and Territories, 36.8% (n=333,921) of which had a disqualifying Brady Indicator.
907,300

Firearms used in Intimate Partner Homicide

53%
FEMALES
40%
MALES
In 2013, firearms were used in 53% of female and 40% of male intimate partner homicides which were recorded by the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

NEARLY HALF OF ALL
WOMEN KILLED
are murdered by a current or former male intimate partner.

Latest Post

One Year Later: Reflections on Disarm Domestic Violence’s Impact

Oct 30
One year ago, in October 2018, Disarm Domestic Violence (Disarm DV) launched. Since then, the site has been a valuable tool for a variety of individuals. As Domestic Violence Awareness Month comes to a close, three of Disarm Domestic Violence’s founding partners reflect on what the site has accomplished...

SAFETY FIRST

If you are in danger, call 911, the National Domestic Violence Hotline below, or a local domestic violence program. Click the “quick exit” button to leave this website. Computer use can be monitored remotely or by someone with access to this device.

800-799-7233

(TTY 800-787-3224)

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