Introduction
Over 4.6 million New York residents experience intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. Fortunately, many victims survive these traumatic events; however, New York reported 1,324 domestic homicides from 2010 to 2019, 25% 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.
In New York, an individual must have a license to purchase or possess a handgun. No license shall be issued to or renewed for an individual convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence or an individual who has had a license revoked or is under a suspension or ineligibility order pursuant to a temporary or final order of protection. Under certain circumstances, New York requires removal of firearms from persons subject to temporary and final orders of protection.
