New group to focus on domestic violence
PITTSBURGH — U.S. Attorney Scott Brady will serve on a working group aimed at looking more closely at existing domestic violence laws, how information about protection from abuse (PFA) orders is shared between law enforcement agencies and better educating authorities and nonprofit agencies about federal laws that could help domestic violence victims.
The announcement comes on the heels of an Eagle series that ran Sunday about protection from abuse orders and domestic violence. Brady is one of nine U.S. Attorneys nationwide chosen for the newly formed Domestic Violence Working Group aimed at keeping guns out of the hands of convicted domestic abusers, using the tools of federal prosecution to stop and prevent domestic violence.
“How do we support them? How do we come alongside and protect them and use the tools available?” Brady said. “We want to make a real change about how law enforcement looks at domestic violence.”
The group was formed by U.S. Attorney General William Barr as part of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee.
Brady said he sees the group’s mission as two-fold.
First, it hopes to look at how information about individuals with active protection from abuse orders is shared across law enforcement. He pointed out how there is presently no real clearinghouse where information is gathered about PFAs. Second, the group looks to better educate the public about federal gun laws on the books that could result in an individual being jailed for violating a PFA.
“Too often, domestic abusers start with threats and abuse, and end up committing extreme violence and even homicide, with devastating impact on families and the community around them.” Barr said in a news release. “I have directed this working group to examine this issue and determine the best way to use federal gun prosecutions and other appropriate tools to supplement state, local and tribal efforts to address domestic violence.”
Just last month, Mary Jo Kornick of Freeport was killed not far from her workplace in Buffalo Township by Nicholas Domek, 72, of Pittsburgh, who later killed himself in a Pittsburgh cemetery later that day. The gun that police said Domek used would have been obtained illegally since he was prohibited from possessing a firearm for several reasons, including a felony conviction in 1984. Additionally, a protection from abuse order was issued against Domek to stay away from Kornick that also would have prevented him from possessing a firearm under state law.
“Every day, at least three women in the United States are murdered by their husband or boyfriend,” Brady said. “With domestic violence being the leading cause of injury to women, this working group will bring federal resources to a nationwide problem.”
Federal law has long barred convicted felons, as well as individuals subject to certain domestic violence protective orders or convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors, from possessing firearms. Brady said that he often reaches out to local law enforcement and nonprofit agencies working directly with domestic violence victims to encourage them to reach out to federal prosecutors for domestic violence cases given that federal laws are stricter than most state and local laws.
In a news release about the new working group, Brady pointed out that offenders with domestic violence in their past pose a remarkably high risk of committing a homicide. He added how research shows abusers with a gun in the home are five times more likely to kill their partners than abusers who don’t have that same access to a firearm.
According to Brady, while keeping guns from domestic abusers in an effort to reduce violence is a major priority of the Justice Department, federal gun cases involving domestic violence present unique challenges. Part of the issue stems from federal and state definitions of domestic violence differing in some states, thus requiring varying legal analysis based on where an individual was convicted.
The group will share best practices, legal analysis and guidance on prosecuting abusers who unlawfully possess guns, and advise U.S. Attorneys across the country on outreach to local law enforcement, judges, and nonprofit groups.
