Reducing Firearms-related Domestic Violence Injuries: Legal Developments and Policy and Practice Implications

• Main Authors: Marshall B. Kapp, Robin Hassler Thompson
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of North Florida 2018-08-01
• Series: Florida Public Health Review
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1223&context=fphr

The potential dangers posed by a combination of firearms availability and domestic violence are substantial in the United States today. The dangers posed and resulting harms must be addressed as a pressing public health matter. This article reports on a 2016 United States Supreme Court decision that, although fairly narrow in terms of the technical legal question answered, supports broad public health implications for future policy and practice concerning the intersection of firearms regulation and the prevention or mitigation of domestic violence. Following a brief summary of the legal case, we make recommendations for reducing the incidence and severity of firearms-related domestic violence through improvements in the current legal standards governing firearms, law enforcement practices, and practices within the health care system.