KC Reporter

U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore announced today that Greene County, Missouri, has been designated by the U.S. Department of Justice to receive additional resources to combat domestic gun violence.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland 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 and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) field divisions, will partner with each designated jurisdiction to develop plans to reduce intimate partner firearm violence and prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders prohibited from owning firearms.

In Greene County, additional resources will be provided to address firearm violence against intimate partners and children. Two assistant prosecutors in the Greene County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will be cross-designated as special assistant U.S. attorneys to prosecute firearms cases in federal court.

“We appreciate the involvement of Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Patterson, Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott, Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams and other local agencies in our coordinated effort to protect victims of domestic violence,” said U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore.

“Working alongside the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Greene County authorities, we are developing strategies and prioritizing prosecutions for offenders who illegally possess a gun and engage in intimate partner violence,” added U.S. Attorney Moore.

Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Patterson expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration: “I am excited to have the United States Attorney’s Office partner with our Domestic Violence Unit, the Springfield Police Department, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, and the Greene County Family Justice Center in the fight to reduce domestic violence in our community. Enforcing existing federal gun laws to prosecute domestic violence offenders will help ensure that those who threaten the safety of their family and household members are held accountable.”

“In April, ATF hosted the first Inaugural Gun Violence Survivors’ Summit to honor those who have fallen to domestic violence," stated Bernard G. Hansen, Special Agent in Charge of ATF's Kansas City Field Division. "Today’s announcement is an example of how ATF will continue working tirelessly to protect our communities every day."

Communities were designated in close coordination with community stakeholders including 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 where local jurisdictions are committed to partnering with the department under 18 U.S.C. 922(g). The designation represents a partnership between federal resources and local jurisdictions addressing intimate partner firearm violence.

The Justice Department anticipates additional jurisdictions will be designated as U.S. Attorney’s Offices continue coordination with their local stakeholders. All U.S. Attorney’s Offices will continue combating intimate partner firearm violence as part of their Project Safe Neighborhoods strategy supporting the department's Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime.