Through collaborative planning and preparation, many communities identify gaps and barriers in their criminal system response to firearms in domestic violence cases. As with Civil System Improvements, the FTAP technical assistance providers have encouraged the FTAP sites to follow a systematic approach in assessing and mapping their current criminal system response – starting at the beginning of the criminal process and moving through the stages of the process where surrender of firearms can be required, including monitoring compliance. The graphic below illustrates the six general stages of the criminal process, providing a sort roadmap for determining collaboratively what obstacles there are at the various stages. Once those challenges are identified, the multidisciplinary team can decide what efforts they want to prioritize for taking next steps to address them.
The resources below offer an array of materials that contain information, guidance, and sample forms for making improvements to your criminal system’s response to firearms in domestic violence cases. They are intended to be used in conjunction with consultation from the FTAP technical assistance providers.
