Introduction
Over 241,000 Rhode Island residents experience intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. Fortunately, many victims survive these traumatic events; however, Rhode Island reported 54 domestic violence related homicides from 2006 to 2015. Although Rhode Island doesn’t report the 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.
Rhode Island prohibits purchase and possession of firearms by persons convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence and persons subject to final domestic abuse protective orders and final domestic assault protective orders. A judge issuing a domestic abuse protective order or domestic assault protective order may require removal of firearms.
