A national push to get guns out of the hands of people with a history of domestic abuse is finding some traction in the Rhode Island General Assembly, while some gun control advocates want tougher restrictions.

Democratic Rep. Teresa Tanzi has sponsored a bill that would expand the number of people required to surrender guns. The South Kingstown Democrat said most of the people affected by Coyne's bill are headed to prison because they've been convicted of the most serious violent crimes. Tanzi said she's more worried about those with misdemeanor domestic violence convictions.

Federal law has long prohibited felons and others convicted of domestic violence misdemeanor crimes or subject to protective orders from buying or owning guns. But it doesn't establish procedures for those abusers to surrender those guns. It also has a narrow definition of domestic relationships.

Everytown for Gun Safety, a national gun safety group, is supporting Tanzi's bill. It sent a letter to lawmakers recently detailing Rhode Island cases where it said courts didn't order abusers to turn in their guns even when federal law banned them from possessing a gun.

http://www.necn.com/news/new-england/Gun-Control-for-Domestric-Abusers-is-Gaining-Traction-381861791.html