The U.S. Department of Justice is targeting another segment of the population prohibited from having guns.
Domestic abusers and other individuals deemed a threat to others have been prioritized for prosecution for illegal firearms possession by the Justice Department, working with local partners identified Friday.
Attorney General Merrick Garland approved 78 communities around the country for designation under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022, a statement from the Justice Department said.
The designation authorizes the Justice Department to work with U.S. Attorney’s offices, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the designated local jurisdictions to reduce intimate partner violence.
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“A key part of this effort includes keeping firearms out of the hands of those who are legally prohibited from possessing them, including those with records of domestic abuse,” said Jill Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
Perpetrators of domestic violence including those subject to a temporary protective order join the hundreds of convicted felons prosecuted in recent years for illegal gun possession.
Working with community stakeholders, the Justice Department used data to identify communities that would benefit from increased resources to reduce domestic violence.
Augusta, Georgia has been designated as a community partner in the Southern District of Georgia, according to the release. In addition, Macon-Bibb in the Middle District and DeKalb County in the Northern District are designated community partners.
The Justice Department “anticipates additional jurisdictions to be designated,” it said.
U.S. Attorneys’ offices will continue to fight intimate partner firearm violence, with or without the designation as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce violent crime, the release said.
