This article analyzes the conflict between two interest groups—advocates
for battered women and advocates for law enforcement personnel—
that has arisen over P.L. 104-208, which prohibits those who have been
convicted of domestic violence from possessing and carrying guns.
The article describes the evolution of responses to domestic violence,
presents a brief history of the battered women's movement, and
discusses the stances of the two interest groups in relation to public
policy.
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