U.S. Attorney's Office To Work With Local Partners To Reduce Domestic Violence

Press Release

U.S. Justice Department Designates Las Vegas in the District of Nevada Under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act, Prioritizing Firearms Prosecutions of Domestic Violence Offenders

LAS VEGAS - Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has approved an initial set of 78 communities across 47 states, territories, and the District of Columbia for designation under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022.

The Justice Department - through its United States Attorney's offices (USAOs) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Field Divisions - will partner with each designated jurisdiction to develop a plan to reduce intimate partner firearm violence and to prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders prohibited under 18 U.S. Code Section 922(g) from owning firearms.

"The strength of our local partnerships plays a key role in our focused efforts to address and reduce intimate partner firearm violence in Las Vegas, and to support and seek justice for victims and survivors," said U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. "The U.S. Attorney's Office is committed to leveraging our resources to combat firearm violence against intimate partners. We will continue to work hand in hand with the ATF and Clark County District Attorney's Office to hold violent intimate partner offenders accountable."

"ATF is committed to our pledge of ensuring the safety of the public, which includes continuing our efforts to ensure protection from intimate partner firearm violence," said Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Cicolani, San Francisco Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. "We will continue to work with our prosecutorial partners and local law enforcement to ensure that this conduct is not tolerated within the Las Vegas community and that the prosecution of domestic offenders, who are prohibited from having a firearm, are a priority."

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada works closely with the Clark County District Attorney's Office to address intimate partner gun violence in the Las Vegas Valley. Where appropriate, possession of firearms by dangerous, repeat domestic violence offenders are adopted for prosecution under federal law. Prosecution of the most dangerous offenders under the federal statute often results in a substantially longer sentence for that offender.

Communities have been designated in close coordination with community stakeholders. They include rural areas, suburban areas, urban areas, and Tribal communities. The Department used data to identify communities that could benefit from increased focus on intimate partner violence resources and where the local jurisdiction is committed to partnering with the Department to increase the use of federal tools to prosecute offenders under 18 U.S.C. 922(g). The designation is an indicator of partnership and coordination between the Department and the local jurisdiction to ensure federal resources are being leveraged effectively to address intimate partner firearm violence.

The Justice Department anticipates additional jurisdictions to be designated as USAOs continue coordination with their local stakeholders. All USAOs, with or without specific community designations under Section 1103, will continue to combat intimate partner firearm violence and prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders as part of their Project Safe Neighborhoods strategy and in support of the Department's Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime.

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Updated September 17, 2024