Should dangerous domestic abusers have guns?
The Issue
Did you know the Supreme Court could decide that dangerous domestic abusers have a constitutional right to a gun, even while they are subject to a protective order?
- Guns are undeniably the leading cause of domestic violence homicides in our country.
- An average of 52 American women are shot and killed by intimate partners every month, according to Everytown for Gun Safety.
- When firearms are present in abusive households, the risk of homicide increases by a staggering 500%.
- Studies also confirm a link between domestic abusers and mass casualty events.
By signing this petition, you join Houston Area Women's Center (HAWC) in calling on the Supreme Court Justices to affirm that dangerous abusers subject to a protective order do not have a constitutional right to possess firearms.
Every year, HAWC supports survivors who are in imminent danger by helping them secure protective orders. For decades, we have fought to ensure that these orders include provisions for the removal of firearms when necessary. However, the upcoming United States v. Rahimi case will decide if current federal law, which prohibits the possession of firearms by persons under certain domestic violence protective orders, violates the Second Amendment.
At HAWC, we witness firsthand the devastating impact that domestic violence can have on individuals, families and the entire community. It is a matter of life and death, and we cannot afford to compromise on the safety of survivors.
“Ann” experienced significant trauma as a child. Sexually abused by a male family member living in the home along with gang members, she awoke frequently at night, in fear of her life from her abuser and his guns. By age 11, she had attempted suicide. When Ann finally obtained a protective order with the help of Houston Area Women’s Center, her mother reported, “I can’t erase the past, but at least I know she’ll be able to sleep now.”
Keeping guns out of abuser's hands is crucial for safeguarding survivors' lives and benefits everyone. Thank you for signing the petition!
The Houston Area Women's Center
To learn more about our work visit hawc.org.
To donate: https://hawc.org/donate/
8,568
The Issue
Did you know the Supreme Court could decide that dangerous domestic abusers have a constitutional right to a gun, even while they are subject to a protective order?
- Guns are undeniably the leading cause of domestic violence homicides in our country.
- An average of 52 American women are shot and killed by intimate partners every month, according to Everytown for Gun Safety.
- When firearms are present in abusive households, the risk of homicide increases by a staggering 500%.
- Studies also confirm a link between domestic abusers and mass casualty events.
By signing this petition, you join Houston Area Women's Center (HAWC) in calling on the Supreme Court Justices to affirm that dangerous abusers subject to a protective order do not have a constitutional right to possess firearms.
Every year, HAWC supports survivors who are in imminent danger by helping them secure protective orders. For decades, we have fought to ensure that these orders include provisions for the removal of firearms when necessary. However, the upcoming United States v. Rahimi case will decide if current federal law, which prohibits the possession of firearms by persons under certain domestic violence protective orders, violates the Second Amendment.
At HAWC, we witness firsthand the devastating impact that domestic violence can have on individuals, families and the entire community. It is a matter of life and death, and we cannot afford to compromise on the safety of survivors.
“Ann” experienced significant trauma as a child. Sexually abused by a male family member living in the home along with gang members, she awoke frequently at night, in fear of her life from her abuser and his guns. By age 11, she had attempted suicide. When Ann finally obtained a protective order with the help of Houston Area Women’s Center, her mother reported, “I can’t erase the past, but at least I know she’ll be able to sleep now.”
Keeping guns out of abuser's hands is crucial for safeguarding survivors' lives and benefits everyone. Thank you for signing the petition!
The Houston Area Women's Center
To learn more about our work visit hawc.org.
To donate: https://hawc.org/donate/
8,568
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Petition created on August 22, 2023