Bipartisan Domestic Violence Bill Seeks To Close Gun Enforcement Gap

In February 2025, a tragic triple homicide occurred in Tamarac, in Broward County, with a husband murdering his wife, her father, and a neighbor before being subdued by police. While the husband has pleaded not guilty, the immediate story in the days directly after the homicide was how hard the deceased wife had tried to seek help from domestic violence authorities – only to receive none. Now, a bipartisan coalition is trying to close one of the loopholes which might have saved three lives.

Opportunities Missed

In 2024, the wife of the Broward County suspect sought domestic violence injunctions (DVI) against her husband, citing both past instances and future fear of becoming a victim of domestic violence. A judge ordered the suspect to surrender his firearms, which is appropriate under Florida law. However, he did not follow up to ensure that the firearms were seized. A previous temporary DVI did result in 20 firearms being seized, but in the more recent case, this did not occur.

Current Florida law does not require deputies to seize firearms if they are in a location to serve a DVI on a respondent. The proposed bills in Florida’s legislature as of this writing would change that, while also requiring documentation of the confiscation of the firearms, and the location of any seized firearms or ammunition. While closing this loophole could (in theory) have prevented the Tamarac incident, it could certainly prevent future gun violence in the home.

Closing The Loophole

In addition to requiring seizure and documentation of firearms in cases where it is ordered, the new proposed law would raise the penalty for subsequent violations of a DVI – that is, after the first. An initial violation is a misdemeanor, and a second and third would be felonies, accruing initial fines and costs. This charge would also come in addition to any charges that an alleged domestic abuser would receive for the violent act itself.

It remains to be seen whether the initiative will pass, but as of this writing, it has significant support. The failure to seize firearms after a domestic violence call can easily place a victim at risk, as we saw in the Tamarac incident. While the Broward County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) disciplined and fired several officers and other personnel, the simple closure of the ‘enforcement loophole’ might have resulted in a very different end to the case.

Contact A West Palm Beach Domestic Violence Attorney

Many Americans prize the right to bear arms, but just as many do not know that the right can be taken away if it is legally appropriate to do so. Unfortunately for the victims in Tamarac, the BCSO failed to follow through on a judge’s order requiring exactly that. If you fear becoming a victim of domestic violence, a West Palm Beach domestic violence attorney from Perlet & Shiner, P.A. can help. Call our office today to schedule a consultation.

Source:

wlrn.org/government-politics/2025-09-12/absolutely-unacceptable-bso-fires-6-more-deputies-disciplines-11-others-after-tamarac-homicides