From 2024-2026, researchers at Temple University Barnett College of Public Health will investigate why there are significant differences among Pennsylvania counties regarding the:
- Prevalence of protection from abuse (PFA) cases
- Percentage of cases that end with a final PFA order
- Percentage of cases with relinquishment requests
- Percentage of final orders/consent agreements that include weapon relinquishment
- Rates of successful weapon retrieval
To accomplish this, the initiative will:
Conduct qualitative content analysis of court and police documents on the current implementation processes of Act 79 of 2018
Conduct structured observations of Final PFA Order hearings
Conduct semi-structured interviews of Sheriffs, Judges, Victim Advocates, and Survivors of Interpersonal Violence
The study will take place in 10 Pennsylvania counties. The initiative will draft policy and implementation recommendations based on the findings of the study.
Background on Act 79 of 2018
Act 79 of 2018 was put into effect in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on April 10, 2019, under Governor Tom Wolf. This policy improved protections offered by Protection from Abuse (PFA) Orders and misdemeanor interpersonal violence convictions by requiring relinquishment of firearms, ammunition, and other weapons by defendants. Weapons may be relinquished to any law enforcement agency, the county sheriff’s office, a federally licensed weapons dealer or armory, and some third parties. Weapons may no longer be given to friends and family and must be relinquished within 24 hours of service of the Final PFA order or conviction. Additionally, courts may order the relinquishment of weapons after the service of a temporary PFA order if weapons are involved. The purpose of Act 79 of 2018 is to prevent injury and death in interpersonal violence scenarios involving firearms and other weapons
Previous research supports that similar state-level interpersonal violence firearm relinquishment laws are associated with an 8-10% decrease in interpersonal violence homicides
Previous Research on Act 79 of 2018
A previous quantitative study conducted by researchers at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) found that:
These percentages are rising faster than total cases.
Although 2020 was a 10-year low in PFA cases, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cases grew 16% from 2020-2023 and weapons relinquishment orders grew 58%.
The Act 79 Qualitative Research Initiative will build upon these findings by investigating what factors contribute to the variation in successful weapon retrievals, prevalence of weapons cautions, and prevalence of PFA cases between PA counties.
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