Hillary Burkholder, CEO of Palomar Family Justice Center in Oklahoma City, said gun restrictions are a difficult subject to broach with lawmakers. The center offers victims resources to escape abuse.
“I know that’s an unpopular conversation to have in this state, but they’re (abusers, who are) not just killing women, they’re killing police officers,” Burkholder said. “Domestic violence abusers are the ones killing the most police.”
The federal government banned gun ownership in 1996 for anyone who has been convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor. A Texas man convicted under the law has appealed the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Republican lawmakers said they are hesitant to consider bills to regulate ownership because of the possibility of constitutional rights violations.
Sen. Shane Jett, R-Shawnee, said the majority of his colleagues will resist gun restrictions.
“There’s always a compelling exception, where someone wants to make a general rule that ultimately, at the end of the day, amends someone’s Second Amendment rights and constitutional privilege,” he said.
Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, said he could see why some want to restrict an abuser found guilty of a criminal misdemeanor.
“If someone is convicted of some kind of violent crime in relation to (domestic violence), then I’m going to say the case might be stronger for at least a temporary restriction on firearms rights, possibly,” he said.
As for limiting the gun rights of someone subject to a protective order without a criminal conviction, Olsen said the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty has to be upheld.
“Short of a conviction, we certainly wouldn’t want to restrict anyone’s Second Amendment right,” he said.
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