Final answer:
Individuals under a restraining or protective order are prohibited from purchasing, possessing, or transporting firearms, as part of legal measures to enhance the safety of at-risk individuals and mitigate domestic violence and reabuse.
Step-by-step explanation:
Under section 18.2-308.I:4, those under a restraining order or protective order are prohibited from purchasing, possessing, or transporting firearms. This is a legal constriction intended to enhance the safety of individuals who are considered to be at risk, often in cases of domestic violence. According to research like Carlson, Harris, and Holden's 1999 study, protective orders can be a component in mitigating the risk of reabuse, indicating the importance of enforcing restrictions on individuals under such orders.
In fact, the Prevention and Treatment Act mandates that within two years of its enactment, the Secretary must outline reasonable best practice standards for risk and safety assessment, highlighting the gravity of addressing issues such as domestic violence and substance abuse. These legal measures emphasize the need for strengthening protections for victims and attempting to prevent future violence.