Despite Washington’s laws mandating that certain accused domestic abusers surrender their firearms, many counties fail to verify compliance, leaving victims like Bremerton’s Lauryn Berg deeply unsettled. Berg’s ex-husband, who faced a protection order after serious abuse allegations, reportedly turned in only two firearms, yet Berg fears he may still possess as many as a dozen, including an AR-style shotgun.
Researchers highlight that weak enforcement mechanisms across the state contribute to this troubling issue, noting that while some areas, like King County, actively track down missing firearms, others rely on the honor system. In Kitsap County, for instance, only 12% of individuals ordered to surrender weapons comply, raising alarms about potential risks, as more than 70 intimate partner homicides occur monthly in the U.S. due to gun violence.
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