Introduction
Over 800,000 Arkansas residents experience intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. Fortunately, many victims survive these traumatic events; however, many will die as a result of domestic violence related murders. Although Arkansas doesn’t publicly report domestic violence related fatality statistics or mechanism of death, evidence suggests firearms are a significant contributing factor. An abuser’s access to firearms can determine a victim’s chances of survival; domestic violence firearm prohibitions and removal laws save lives.
Arkansas does not prohibit purchase or possession of firearms or ammunition by persons convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence or persons subject to ex parte or final domestic violence orders of protection. Arkansas does not require the removal of firearms from persons subject to domestic violence orders of protection though a judge issuing an ex parte or final domestic violence order of protection may order other relief necessary or appropriate for the protection of a family or household member.
