Introduction
Over 1.9 million Virginia residents experience intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. Fortunately, many victims survive these traumatic events; however, Virginia reported 1,395 family and intimate partner related homicides from 2008 to 2017. In 2017, 62% of the family and intimate partner related homicides were committed by firearm. An abuser’s access to firearms can determine a victim’s chances of survival; domestic violence firearm prohibitions and removal laws save lives.
Virginia does not prohibit purchase or possession of firearms or ammunition by persons convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence. Virginia prohibits purchase and transportation of firearms by persons subject to any protective order. Virginia prohibits possession of firearms by persons subject to final protective orders in cases of family abuse. Virginia requires removal of firearms by persons subject to final protective orders in cases of family abuse.
