In a major push to combat intimate partner firearm violence, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has partnered with local jurisdictions in the Eastern District of Virginia to develop plans to reduce such violence and prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders prohibited from owning firearms.
The move comes after Attorney General Merrick B. Garland approved an initial set of 78 communities across 47 states, territories, and the District of Columbia for designation under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022. The South Hampton Roads jurisdiction, including Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach, has been designated in the Eastern District of Virginia.
Partnerships with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Field Divisions will focus on developing strategies to reduce intimate partner firearm violence and prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders prohibited under 18 U.S. Code Section 922(g) from owning firearms.
According to the Justice Department, the designation of these communities represents a partnership and coordination between the department and local jurisdictions to ensure federal resources are being leveraged effectively to address intimate partner firearm violence.
The Justice Department anticipates additional jurisdictions to be designated as U.S. Attorney’s Offices continue coordination with their local stakeholders.
All U.S. Attorney’s Offices, with or without specific community designations under Section 1103, will continue to combat intimate partner firearm violence and prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders as part of their Project Safe Neighborhoods strategy and in support of the Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime.
Related Federal Cases
- Bell, Violent Intimidation, Virginia 2023 · New York
- Charles General, Possessing Stolen Firearm, D.C., 2023 · District of Columbia
- Charles General, Possession of Stolen Firearm, Washington D.C., 2023 · District of Columbia
- Charles General, Possession of Stolen Firearm, California 2023 · District of Columbia
- Brandon Figures-Mormon, Assault with Intent to Kill, Virginia 2017 · District of Columbia
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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