Domestic violence and firearms are a lethal combination, and abusers’ easy access to firearms endangers survivors. Abusers often choose to use guns to coerce, threaten, and terrorize partners, children, and pets, even without firing a single shot. There is an undeniable link between mass shootings and domestic violence, and while anyone can experience domestic violence, it is often more lethal for women of color, particularly when guns are involved.
We’re proud to support common-sense efforts to keep domestic violence survivors safe from gun violence. Some public policy solutions we advocate for include passing common sense firearms legislation that:
keeps guns out of the hands of those convicted of certain domestic violence-related misdemeanor offenses,
addresses loopholes that give abusers access to deadly weapons by requiring universal background checks (UBCs) on firearms sales, and
prioritizes extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), which allow family and law enforcement to petition to temporarily prevent an individual from possessing a firearm when they are at risk of harming themselves or others.
Domestic violence victims and survivors deserve better, and everyone deserves to live safely, without fearing gun violence.
A short video with many lit candles against a dark background. White text reads: “More than half of all intimate partner homicides in the U.S. are committed with firearms and more than 50 women are shot to death by an intimate partner every month. Abusers also use firearms to coerce, threaten, and terrorize their partners, children, and pets, even without firing a single shot. Domestic violence victims and survivors deserve better. Everyone deserves to live safely, without fearing gun violence.” Video ends with the dark gray, pink, and dark purple Every1KnowsSomeone logo.
Un breve video presentando varios grupos diversos de adultos. Mientras un texto blanco en recuadros púrpura a lo largo del video lee: “La pobreza y la falta de una vivienda segura y asequible puede empeorar la violencia doméstica. Esto es especialmente cierto para grupos que tienen menos poder en la sociedad, como las personas de bajos ingresos o sin documentos. Cuando las personas tienen más control de su seguridad económica, tienen más poder sobre sus vidas y otras alternativas en lugar de las relaciones no saludables. Aseguremos que TODOS puedan tener acceso a una vivienda segura y asequible.” El video termina con el logo Cada1Conoce1 en los colores gris oscuro, rosado y púrpura oscuro.
A 2003 study found that a woman is 5x more likely to be murdered when her abuser has access to a gun (National Library of Medicine)
Nationally, every 16hrs a woman is fatally shot by a current or former intimate partner (Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence)
In states that have implemented universal background checks on firearms sales, nearly 40% fewer women are shot and killed annually. (Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, Everytown for Gun Safety)
According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence:
When a male abuser has access to a firearm, the risk that he will choose to shoot and kill a female partner increases by 1,000%.
More than half of all intimate partner homicides in the United States are committed with firearms, and more than 50 women in the U.S. are shot to death by an intimate partner every month.
Nearly one million women in the United States have been shot, or shot at, by an intimate partner.
In more than half of the mass shootings in this country over the past decade, the perpetrator shot a current or former intimate partner or other family member as part of the rampage.
Nearly two-thirds of all domestic violence related mass shootings also ended with the shooter killing themselves.
Approximately 80% of child victims of mass shootings died in incidents connected to family violence.
More than two-thirds (68%) of mass shootings in the U.S. between 2014 and 2019 were either domestic violence attacks or perpetrated by someone with a history of domestic violence.
Black women are twice as likely to be killed by a spouse, and four times more likely to be killed by a dating partner, than white women.
Homicide is the leading cause of death in the U.S. among Black women aged 14 to 45 years, and 57% of homicides against Black women are committed with guns.
Latina women experience the highest rate of domestic violence-related homicides of any ethnic or racial grouping. Of Latina homicide victims, 61% are killed by intimate partners–and 50% of these killings are committed with guns.
