Real Housewives Paul Nassif Claims Adrienne Maloof Was Violent

Paul and Adrienne are both in court ... fighting over custody of their 3 sons. During the hearing, Paul's lawyer claimed Adrienne has pushed Paul and was also verbally abusive in front of their kids, calling him "stupid, dumb and an idiot."

According to a declaration filed today, the couple's head of security witnessed Adrienne hit and scratch Paul in the back of their car last summer ... before Paul called her a "bitch."

Later in court, Paul's lawyer also said ... while Paul was asleep one day, she went into his briefcase and removed a gun and then took a picture of it. He never explained why she did it but made it clear .. it was not kosher.

Paul's lawyer also says Adrienne is using her rep to leak private info about Paul and their kids to the media.