Rachel Jackson-Gordon is a postdoctoral research associate at the Family Resiliency Center whose work focuses on violence prevention, program implementation and community-engaged research. She spoke with IGPA about the potential benefits and implications of Karina’s Law, an Illinois bill that requires local law enforcement to temporarily remove guns from a person who has an order of protection against them.

How might Karina’s Law impact violence prevention efforts in Illinois?

Jackson-Gordon: Karina’s Law is a step forward, particularly in what we’d call secondary prevention, which involves intervening once signs of abuse are already present. Removing firearms from potentially dangerous individuals can reduce harm, especially in high-risk domestic situations. While research on firearm removal legislation shows mixed results depending on the setting and how it’s implemented, there is growing evidence that disarming high-risk individuals lowers the chances of firearm-related injuries and fatalities.

One  strength of the law is its clarification of procedures. It specifies that local law enforcement is responsible for firearm removal. That kind of logistical detail is often missing in legislation, so this law could serve as a model for others.

Who is most at risk of experiencing domestic violence?

Jackson-Gordon: Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence. It cuts across income, race, gender, and geography. That said, women are disproportionately affected, particularly when it comes to physical harm. People from marginalized communities such as LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, and those experiencing financial stress are often at elevated risk due to structural inequalities.

Read the full Q&A at the Institute for Government & Public Affairs.