A gun in the home significantly increases the risk of domestic violence escalating into homicide or injuries resulting in permanent disability and trauma.

The health care system is often the first place women survivors of violence turn to for help. At the same time, health care institutions assess the medical fitness for carrying firearms both for civilians and persons with access to firearms based on their profession, and can have a significant insight into family dynamics, as well as a responsibility to prevent firearms misuse for domestic violence.

This publication determines the roles of the health care system in preventing domestic violence and provides recommendations for improvements, both regarding medical assessments, as well as cooperation with other institutions.