Introduction
Over 420,000 Nebraska residents experience intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. Fortunately, many victims survive these traumatic events; however, many will be die as a result of domestic violence related murders. Although Nebraska doesn’t publicly report domestic violence- or intimate partner-related fatality statistics including 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.
Nebraska prohibits possession of firearms by persons convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence within the past 7 years and persons subject to a final domestic violence protection order, harassment protection order, or sexual assault protection order who knowingly violate such order. A court issuing an ex parte or final domestic violence protection order may prohibit the respondent from purchasing or possessing a firearm. Nebraska does not require removal of firearms from persons subject to ex parte or final domestic violence protection orders; however, a court issuing an ex parte or final domestic violence protection order may order other relief necessary to provide for the safety and welfare of the petitioner and any designated family or household member.
