FEDERAL AUTHORITIES WORKING WITH LOCAL PARTNERS TO REDUCE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN MILWAUKEE

Press Release

U.S. Department of Justice Designates Milwaukee Under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act, Prioritizing Firearms Prosecutions of Domestic Violence Offenders

United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced today that Milwaukee is among an initial set of 78 communities that Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has approved for designation under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 (VAWA).

As announced by the Attorney General, the United States Department of Justice - 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 from owning firearms under federal law.

"The United States Attorney's Office is committed to working with all of our dedicated and talented law enforcement and community partners to continue to reduce domestic violence and hold offenders accountable," said U.S. Attorney Haanstad. "Including Milwaukee in today's designation demonstrates the Justice Department's commitment to use all available federal tools to make all of our communities as safe as possible."

"This important announcement will strengthen our partnerships between law enforcement and communities to assist victims of domestic violence," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon of the Chicago Field Division. "ATF prioritizes investigations of prohibited persons who illegally possess firearms and look forward to the United States Attorney's leadership to prosecute these important cases."

Communities have been designated by Attorney General Garland in close coordination with community stakeholders. The designated jurisdictions span 47 states and include rural areas, suburban areas, urban areas, and Tribal communities. The Justice 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 domestic violence offenders who unlawfully possess firearms.

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 13, 2024