Domestic abuse suspects shouldn't be able to keep their guns.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

WaPo Editorial:

GAIL PUMPHREY came to dread meeting her ex-husband to transfer custody of their children. Sometimes he would curse at her. Once, she said, he spit in her face. On Thanksgiving Day two years ago, he fatally shot Ms. Pumphrey and their three children -- ages 7, 10 and 12 -- before killing himself. He used a .22-caliber rifle, the same gun Ms. Pumphrey had asked a court to confiscate just three weeks before.

The Maryland General Assembly is considering two bills that would make it harder for those accused of domestic violence to keep their guns. The legislation comes too late to save Ms. Pumphrey and her children but would help prevent such tragedies in the future. One bill would give judges the option of confiscating the firearms of domestic abuse suspects against whom temporary protective orders have been issued. The other would require judges to order the seizure of guns from suspects once final protective orders are in place. A number of states, including North Carolina and California, already have such measures. Even Virginia, not known for limiting gun ownership, prohibits domestic violence suspects from buying or carrying guns when protective orders have been issued against them.

Inexcusably, such legislation has died in the House Judiciary Committee in past years. The committee, chaired by Del. Joseph F. Vallario Jr. (D-Prince George's), has a reputation for protecting the rights of the accused -- sometimes at the expense of reasonable policy. Mr. Vallario, a criminal defense lawyer, told The Post's Lisa Rein that his main concern was that law enforcement officers accused of domestic abuse would not be able to carry their guns for work. It seems to us that Mr. Vallario should be more concerned about the safety of an abused spouse than the ability of an officer suspected of domestic violence to carry a gun.

Other critics contend that the bills unfairly target firearms. After all, they say, a spouse or partner can be harmed with a baseball bat or a knife. The statistics tell a different story: Female victims of domestic violence are more likely to be killed in shootings than through all other methods of violence combined. In Maryland, guns accounted for more than half of domestic-violence-related deaths from June 2007 to July 2008.

Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown (D) spoke passionately last week before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee about the need for tougher domestic violence laws. Mr. Brown no doubt drew upon a recent family tragedy: His cousin Catherine Brown was shot to death by an estranged boyfriend last year. Advocates for victims of domestic violence believe the legislation has a chance this year because of the O'Malley administration's support. We hope they're right. Mr. Vallario and his colleagues have the chance to save the next Gail Pumphrey.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...9021601103.html

[Ban Hammer 12,901]

i thought this was already a federal law - given we had people in the military that were subject to it.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

i thought this was already a federal law - given we had people in the military that were subject to it.

Do you support the measure? What about police officers who are accused of domestic abuse?

[Uncle Wally 2]

Wow. I guess I'd better stop wailing on the old lady. Wouldn't wanna miss deer season...

[Ban Hammer 12,901]

i thought this was already a federal law - given we had people in the military that were subject to it.

Do you support the measure? What about police officers who are accused of domestic abuse?

yes and yes. next?

[Nagishkaw 510]

What about blind abusers?

[Heracles 417]

i thought this was already a federal law - given we had people in the military that were subject to it.

Do you support the measure? What about police officers who are accused of domestic abuse?

The measure is common sense.

[Jasman0717 8]

Need stronger laws

[Jesse and Hema 2]

If you take away the man's gun, you don't take away his ability to kill. He still has a knife, his fist, or a fire extinguisher. To think that the situation is peachy when guns-free is inane.

This is attacking the problem in an asinine manner.

[justashooter 430]

One bill would give judges the option of confiscating the firearms of domestic abuse suspects against whom temporary protective orders have been issued. The other would require judges to order the seizure of guns from suspects once final protective orders are in place.

trouble is, getting a temporary protective order is too easy. it's considered standard fare in a contentious divorce, and can be based on vague testimony by a woman who "feels unsafe" in any way whatsoever. doesn't have to be based upon credible threat or past actions, just how a woman feels. works this way in pennsylvania.

too bad about the people killed in the story attached to the plea. the woman should have had her own gun.

[almaty 19]

illinois, it is law that if convicted..no gun card...or if a gun card has been issued..revoked

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Taking an abusers gun away wont do squat. Just a backdoor method to gun control.

[NickD 202]

We were told in the military, this is my weapon, and this is my gun. (Holding your hand in a conspicuous place with the latter.)

So exactly what do they want to take away from that guy? As pointed out in another thread, our legislators do not know the difference between a semi or a fully automatic gun (their word, not mine). Apparently they don't know the difference between a gun and an weapon either.

[SMOKE 1,426]

Taking an abusers gun away wont do squat. Just a backdoor method to gun control.

LMAO at your siggy.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Very unfortunate about the victims. Also to take away guns from a suspect is unconstitutional. He is innocent until proven in a court of law and does not lose his rights just because he is a suspect. It is very common for spouses to make accusations also whether real or not. As also noted before, if someone wants to kill someone there are numerous ways to do so. If you take one of the ways to kill someone, then the next and so on it could be an ever expanding list.