Introduction
Over 1.2 million Colorado residents experience intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. Fortunately, many victims survive these traumatic events; however, Colorado reported 152 domestic violence-related deaths from 2017 to 2019, over half of whom died by firearms. An abuser’s access to firearms can determine a victim’s chances of survival; domestic violence firearm prohibitions and removal laws save lives.
Colorado prohibits purchase and possession of firearms or ammunition by persons convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence and persons subject to temporary or final civil protection orders. Colorado also requires the removal of firearms from persons subject to final civil protection orders.