Webinar: Exposing What’s Concealed: Leveraging Existing Federal Statutes to Increase Victim Safety & Offender Accountability

Description:

The U.S. has recently experienced at least four years of increases in intimate partner homicide. Addressing firearms, particularly those unlawfully possessed, is essential, as research has repeatedly shown that the presence of a firearm in an intimate partner relationship substantially increases the risk of a homicide. The importance of reducing the presence of firearms in such relationships extends to law enforcement officers, as well. 95% of domestic disturbance-related law enforcement officer homicides from 1996 to 2010 were committed with a firearm. This workshop will provide an overview of federal firearms laws to ensure that those who attend acquire a firm understanding of law enforcement authority to enforce federal gun laws. The presenters will include information on promising legislation and practices concerning the seizure of firearms in the context of IPV. Information on sending referrals to the BATF and working joint pro-active investigations will be discussed.

Presenter:

John Guard

John Guard is a Chief Deputy with the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office in Greenville, North Carolina. Chief Guard has over 30 years of law enforcement experience, including line level response, investigative response, first and second level supervision, and agency management. For almost two and a half decades, he has specialized in investigating domestic violence cases. He has been instrumental in developing policies and procedures related to domestic violence response in Pitt County and the State of North Carolina.

Throughout his career, Chief Guard has trained law enforcement officers and other allied professionals on the dynamics and nuances of domestic violence from both a law enforcement and a social justice perspective; worked with victims as a law enforcement officer and as a victim advocate; and provided information to the community members regarding domestic violence. Chief Guard has developed and implemented several innovative programs designed to increase victim safety and offender accountability. Many of these programs have been replicated by other agencies across the country. Chief Guard has received numerous awards for his efforts related to domestic violence prevention, including awards from the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the North Carolina Victims Assistance Network, the Sunshine Lady Foundation, and most recently the 2021 National Crime Victims’ Service Award for First Responders, U.S. Department of Justice – Office for Victims of Crime.