English
EspañolIf the abuser's gun is taken away, what will happen to it?
When you get a domestic abuse restraining order/injunction, the judge will generally order the abuser to give surrender his/her guns within 48 hours. The firearms will be surrendered (given) to the sheriff (either in the county where your court case is taking place or in the county where the abuser lives) or to another person that the abuser suggests who is approved by the judge.2 If the gun is given to a sheriff, the sheriff will issue a receipt that includes the date on which the firearm was surrendered and the manufacturer, model, and serial number of the firearm. The sheriff can store the gun at a warehouse at the abuser’s expense.2 You can read more about the process for surrendering a firearm on our Selected Wisconsin Statutes page.
1 Wis. Stat. §§ 813.12(4m)(a)(2); 813.1285(1g)(a)
2 Wis. Stat. § 813.1285(6)(a), (6)(e)(1)
Who do I notify if I think the abuser should not have a gun?
If you think the abuser is violating state firearm laws, you can call your local police or sheriff department or the state police. If you think the abuser is violating federal firearm laws, you can call the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).
You can find contact information for sheriff departments in your area on our WI Sheriff Departments page.
You can find ATF field offices in Wisconsin on the ATF website. For reporting illegal firearm activity, a person can also call 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867). Many ATF offices have victim advocates on staff (called “victim/witness coordinators”) and so perhaps you may ask to speak one of these advocates if you are having a hard time connecting with (or receiving a call back from) an ATF officer.
A local domestic violence organization in your area may also be able to answer your questions and assist you in talking to the necessary law enforcement officials. You will find contact information for organizations in your area on our WI Advocates and Shelters page.
Note: Generally, the abuser does not have to have knowledge of the law in order to be arrested for breaking the law. If the abuser has or buys a gun in violation of the law, the abuser can be arrested, whether or not s/he knows that s/he was in violation of the law.1
1United States v. Lippman, 369 F. 3d 1039 (8th Cir. 2004); United States v. Henson, 55 F. Supp. 2d 528 (S.D. W.V. 1999)
What will happen if the abuser tries to purchase a gun?
Before purchasing a gun from a licensed firearm dealer, all buyers must undergo a criminal background check that is processed through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). The National Instant Criminal Background Check System is used by federal firearms licensees (FFLs), such as firearms dealers or pawnbrokers, to instantly determine whether someone is eligible to receive (own, possess, transport) firearms or explosives.1 If the abuser has a qualifying protection order against him/her, or has been convicted of a felony or domestic violence misdemeanor in any state, those records should be in the NICS, which should prevent the abuser from legally buying a gun. Not all states have automated record keeping systems, making it more difficult to process the criminal background check, and some criminals and abusers do slip through the system. Also, it is important to know that background checks are not required for private and online gun sales and so in those situations, the seller is not looking in the NICS.
If the abuser is able to purchase a gun and you believe that s/he should not be able to have one under the law, you can alert the police, and ask that his/her gun be taken away and perhaps the police will investigate. Generally, it is not a good idea to assume that because the abuser was able to buy a gun, it is legal for him/her to have one.
What is the penalty for violating state and federal firearm laws?
Under Wisconsin state law, possession of a firearm in violation of a domestic abuse or harassment restraining order is a Class G felony and can be punished by a fine of up to $25,000, jail time of up to 10 years, or both.1 Wisconsin state law also says that any violation of a temporary or final domestic abuse restraining order can be punished by a fine of up to $1,000, jail time of up to 9 months, or both.2
Also, anyone who owns, has or buys a gun in violation of the federal firearm law can be punished by a fine, jail time for up to 10 years, or both.3
1 Wis. Stat. §§ 941.29(2); 939.60(2)(g)
2 Wis. Stat. § 813.12(8)
3 18 USC § 924(a)(2)
