In Pennsylvania, Protection from Abuse defendants, who own guns, may or may not be ordered to give up their firearms by a judge (for final PFAs). If the defendant has to surrender the guns, they can be held for safekeeping by a third party like a family member or friend.

In most cases, that's enough to keep the guns from being used to harm the person who took out the PFA. But not always.

A series of domestic violence-related proposals have been made that includes a stipulation that guns would be surrendered to a local police agency or firearms dealer under terms of a final Protection from Abuse order.

In a state where there are many hunters and gun owners, that part of the proposal is sure to be debated intensely.

Other proposals would permit judges to extend PFAs beyond the current 36 months and also to require someone from law enforcement to be present with PFA plaintiffs for service of orders or when they are retrieving property.

Appearing on Tuesday's Smart Talk to discuss the bills are Ellen Kramer, Deputy Director of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Rhonda Hendrickson: Director of Violence Intervention and Prevention Services at the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg.