Yes. I'm talking credible, firect threats to others, especially in a domestic abuse situation.
Example: guy beats up wife and kids. Gets hauled in, buddy posts his bail. While in the clink, he tells the COs that he's gonna murder his wife and children when he gets out, giving out details on how he will do it and with what weapons.
Guy gets out of on bond. He's not convicted, he's awaiting trial. Does the government have to wait for him to follow through on his threats or can they do something proactive about it like limiting his access to firearms?
Something similar happened recently here.
- guy is convicted of felony child abuse in 2013 (should have resulted in him not possessing firearms)
- guy is arrested for assault or threats with a deadly weapon, no conviction
- police are called multiple times for domestic abuse
- restraining orders are applied for but eventually dropped (dropped before verifying whether or not firearms were present in the home)
- domestic abuse cases are never prosecuted because the victim withdraws their statements
- husband and wife own a local restaurant, lots of verbal and minor physical abuse between both partners, the general public is aware of their volatility
- wife files for divorce earlier this year
- this past Sunday the husband shoots the wife at point blank range with a shotgun in the back and the face, she dies
- one son calls police from the home, other son runs next door crying and neighbors call police
- police show up and husband is on balcony with a gun, cops negotiate for a while, ends up with multiple shots fired, husband in hospital with non life threatening injuries
- husband arrested for intentional homicide and felon in possession of firearms, he had one handgun on him, plus the shotgun, and another handgun in the home
- sheriff holds a press conference, says that the reason the guns were never confiscated and the husband never held accountable for prior domestic violence is because of how the system is set up
It is really sad the woman lost her life and 2 boys lost their mother. And they served award winning pizza and wings (NY transplants) that the community doesn't get to enjoy anymore. Lots of people in the community are pissed because it was a very open secret the abuse and violence the husband was capable of and because the current laws were not enforced for whatever reason a 48 year old woman paid with her life.
I am not sure if any additional laws would have made a difference. There has to be a better way of enforcing current laws and ensuring the safety of victims of abuse though.