The Law
Just over one year after Gunn's murder, on May 26th, 1994, Congress passed the Free Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, making it a Federal crime to obstruct, interfere with, or intimidate people from accessing entrances to reproductive services (Item 1). As the Justice Department writes, "FACE prohibits violent, threatening, damaging, and obstructive conduct intended to injure, intimidate, or interfere with the right to seek, obtain, or provide reproductive health services." The FACE Act was passed as a direct response to Gunn's murder and the uptake in anti-abortion violence in the United States. Gunn's son testified to Congress on his father's murder in an effort to pass the bill.
Still, the FACE act allows for several loop holes in the law; including permitting non-physical intimidation towards clinic staff and patients. Moreover, the act does not define the scope of what a “threat” entails, potentially limiting what can be prosecuted under the law.
The FACE Act remains one of the most important pieces of legislation protecting abortion clinics from violence and threats due to its relatively large scope and direct protection for abortion providers. Still, protestings and disruption outside of clinics remain a key strategy of the pro-life movement at the expense of those trying to enter the clinic and receive care.
1. Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act 18 U.S.C. §248 (1994).