Introduction
Over 1.2 million Louisiana residents experience intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. Fortunately, many victims survive these traumatic events; however, Louisiana reported 335 domestic violence-related fatalities from 2015 to 2020. In 2020 alone, Louisiana reported 39 domestic violence-related homicides, 77% of which were committed with a firearm. An abuser’s access to firearms can determine a victim’s chances of survival; domestic violence firearm prohibitions and removal laws save lives.
Louisiana prohibits possession of firearms by persons convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence for ten years following the date of completion of sentence, probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. Louisiana also prohibits possession of firearms by persons subject to certain final protective orders. Louisiana does not require removal of firearms or ammunition from subjects of any protective orders.
