Introduction
Over 690,000 Kansas residents experience intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. Fortunately, many victims survive these traumatic events; however, Kansas reported 287 domestic violence homicides from 2010 to 2019, 60% 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.
Kansas prohibits possession of firearms by persons convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence within the preceding 5 years. Kansas also prohibits possession of firearms by persons subject to a final domestic violence protection from abuse order. Kansas does not require removal of firearms from persons subject to domestic violence protection from abuse orders; however, a court issuing a final protection from abuse order may order or restrain any other acts deemed necessary to promote the safety of the plaintiff or of any minor children of the parties.
