An illustration shows a detail of a gun. In the trigger, a man and a woman are arguing.


When Abusers Keep Their Guns

An investigation into how domestic abusers are allowed to keep their guns – with deadly consequences.

Credit: Jacksonville Sheriff's Office

Armed and Abusive: How America’s Gun Laws Are Failing Domestic Violence Victims

By Jennifer Gollan | Oct. 26, 2021

Intimate partner homicides are skyrocketing, yet police, prosecutors and judges often trust offenders to disarm themselves.

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An illustration shows a man holding a gun and staring at a woman. They are surrounded by bullets. In the foreground is shattered glass.
Credit: Illustration by Molly Mendoza

Episode: When Abusers Keep Their Guns

Oct. 9, 2021

By law, domestic abusers are banned from owning guns. But too often, those laws aren’t enforced, and the consequences can be deadly.

Hear the episode
A family gathers around the grave of their daughter, who was killed in a domestic violence situation.
Credit: Al Jazeera English/Fault Lines

Video: Unrelinquished

Oct. 20, 2021

A documentary from Reveal and Al Jazeera English exposes how ineffective laws have allowed domestic abusers to keep their guns – with deadly consequences.

Watch now
A portrait of Mariah Carpenter and a photo of several guns, including assault rifles, laid out on asphalt.
Credit: Carpenter photo: Courtesy of Dawn Sutherland; guns photo: Columbus Division of Police

Police Often Miss Red Flags in Domestic Abuse Cases, and the Consequences Are Deadly

By Jennifer Gollan and Grace Oldham | Aug. 2, 2022

In scores of intimate partner gun homicides from 2017 through 2020, Reveal found that law enforcement repeatedly ignored even the most glaring signs that a victim was at high risk of being killed.

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Impact

Actress Angelina Jolie stands behind a lectern. Senators and advocates stand in a row behind her.
Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images

How the Updated Violence Against Women Act Would Crack Down on Domestic Abusers Who Have Guns

By Jennifer Gollan | Feb. 23, 2022

After Reveal reported on soaring rates of intimate partner homicide, a bipartisan Senate proposal gives local law enforcement greater power to pursue abusers who possess illegal weapons.

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Nancy Pelosi stands behind a lectern. In front of her is a sign that says, “Reauthorize Violence Against Women Act.”
Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Congress Takes Aim at Abusers’ Illegal Guns in New Violence Against Women Act

By Jennifer Gollan | March 11, 2022

New legislation gives state and local law enforcement more power to crack down on abusers who have weapons unlawfully.

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Awards

New York Festivals TY & Film Awards
2022 gold award winner, social issues documentary

News & Documentary Emmy Awards
2022 nominee, outstanding investigative news coverage, long form

Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards
2022 winner, domestic television

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Credits

Series reporter and documentary co-producer: Jennifer Gollan | Project editors: Nina Martin, Narda Zacchino and Andrew Donohue | Additional editing: Sumi Aggarwal and Esther Kaplan | Additional research: Grace Oldham and Katherine Sypher | Interim editor in chief: Sumi Aggarwal | Digital producer: Sarah Mirk | Copy editor, fact checker and additional digital production: Nikki Frick | Engagement reporter: Byard Duncan | Graphics: Soo Oh

Radio editor: Taki Telonidis | Radio lead producer: Katharine Mieszkowski | Radio score, mix and sound design: Jim Briggs and Fernando Arruda | Additional mixing: Steven Rascón, Claire Mullen and Brett Simpson | Radio production manager: Amy Mostafa | Radio executive producer: Kevin Sullivan | Radio host: Al Letson

Digital partner: The Guardian | Executive producer, TV and documentary: Amanda Pike | Documentary partner: Al Jazeera English’s “Fault Lines,” producer Amina Waheed, director of photography Joel Van Haren and executive producer Laila Al-Arian | Cover illustration by Molly Mendoza