AG names US attorney in Oklahoma City to new group

Attorney General William Barr on Tuesday appointed Timothy J. Downing, the new U.S. attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, to a group of federal prosecutors whose focus will be finding ways to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers.

“I have directed t his working group to examine the issues and determine the best way to use federal gun prosecutions and other appropriate tools to supplement state, local and tribal efforts to address domestic violence,” Barr said in a statement provided by Downing's office.

In March, President Donald Trump nominated Downing, a former state legislator and assistant attorney general, to head the U.S. attorney's office in Oklahoma City.

On May 9, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the nomination, and on May 23, the U.S. Senate confirmed Downing, who was sworn in June 5.