State Attorney Wants To Keep Guns Away From Domestic Abusers

TAMPA, FL--In a press conference this morning, Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren announced that he’s launching an initiative that will keep guns out of the hands of domestic violence abusers.

The initiative comes at the urging of domestic violence organizations and law enforcement agencies concerned about the rising number of domestic violence victims killed by guns in the hands of their abusers. According to statistics compiled by the State Attorney’s Office, a Floridian is killed in a domestic violence incident every other day, and guns were responsible for nearly half of these murders between 2010 and 2016.

"Domestic violence is a serious problem, and guns in the hands of domestic abusers are a deadly combination,” Warren said. “The time has arrived to take serious action about domestic violence and guns. We can do more, we need to do more, and here in Hillsborough, we will do more. As State Attorney, I refuse to stand by while our mothers, sisters, daughters and friends are being threatened, assaulted and killed by domestic abusers who have forfeited their right to have a gun."

Although domestic violence offenders are prohibited from owning a firearm, Warren said many abusers find illegal ways to acquire guns resulting in deadly consequences for their victims. He said his initiative will focus on keeping illegal weapons out of their hands and vigorously prosecuting domestic abusers who obtain guns.

Warren noted that half of domestic violence murders in the United States are committed with guns. Locally, someone in Hillsborough County is a victim of domestic violence every 79 minutes, and many of their abusers have a criminal history of domestic violence.

He said his initiative will allow law enforcement to aggressively seek out firearms in the hands of domestic violence offenders when investigating a domestic violence complaint. In addition, at the offender’s first appearance or bond hearing, the State Attorney’s Office will demand that these abusers give up their guns as a condition of their pre-trial release. The State attorney will also seek to take away or prohibit the possession of firearms as part of plea agreements, entry into diversion programs and for probation in domestic violence cases. A domestic abuse offender violating these agreements could face additional criminal charges.

Standing next to Warren at the press conference were Mindy Murphy, president and CEO of The Spring domestic violence shelter, and Clara Reynolds, president and CEO of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, which provides a range of services for domestic violence victims.

Both women lauded Warren’s efforts to protect domestic violence victims.

"We commend the State Attorney for implementing this initiative," Reynolds said. "The correlation between domestic violence, firearms and homicide is well-documented. We're communicating with domestic violence survivors every day through 2-1-1, and our trauma counseling and sexual assault services departments. We know that many survivors of domestic violence live in constant fear of their abuser. This measure is instrumental for both the physical safety and emotional well-being of survivors in our community."

"According to Everytown for Gun Safety, 54 percent of the 156 mass shootings from 2009 to 2016 were rooted in domestic or family violence,” Murphy said. “Getting guns out of the hands of batterers will keep victims and their children safer, and also will keep all of us safer. We applaud State Attorney Warren and his office for recognizing how dangerous abusers are, and for taking additional steps to hold them accountable."

Warren said he hopes the initiative will have the additional benefit of making victims feel more safe and willing to come forward.

"By taking and keeping guns away from abusers, we will reduce the number of incidents of domestic violence,” he said. “We will help victims overcome the overwhelming, paralyzing fear that comes with having an abusive, armed partner. And we will hopefully save lives."

Photo via State Attorney's Office

Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren stands with representatives of Hillsborough County domestic violence and gun control groups after announcing his initiative. From left are, Clara Reynolds, CEO Crisis Center of Tampa Bay; Bernadett Fritch, Crisis Center volunteer; Kathleen Kempke, senior director of Corbett Trauma Center; Mindy Murphy, CEO Spring of Tampa Bay, State Attorney Andrew Warren, Nancy Granada of the Hillsborough County League of Women Voters; and Sandra Sroka, president of the Hillsborough County League of Woman.