TYLER, Texas — Gregg County has been approved for designation by the U. S. Attorney's Office Tuesday under section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022.
The act focuses on reducing domestic violence, especially in cases involving firearms. Gregg County has been selected as one of the 78 communities across the country with a heightened number of firearm-related domestic violence cases, without the resources necessary to combat them.
“Domestic violence is a significant problem in our nation and presents a special challenge to prosecutors,” said Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “The causes of domestic violence are numerous and varied and require a concerted national and local effort if there is going to be success at tackling this problem. Addressing domestic and sexual violence must be a linchpin in the attack on violent crime. As such, we are proud to announce that in Gregg County we will prioritize firearms prosecutions of domestic violence offenders to aid our state and local partners, who do the heavy lifting in this important fight.”
To do so, both the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and U.S. Attorneys will increase their capacity in the county to provide aid for victims, and combat domestic violence.
“All people, no matter their gender, race, creed, or color, deserve to have relationships free from domestic violence– a heinous crime that terrorizes families, shatters homes, and destroys lives. Let it serve as a notice- through our partnerships with the Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney’s Office, and state and local law enforcement agencies, ATF will remain steadfast in its pursuit of domestic abusers in possession of firearms illegally." ATF Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Boshek II said.