Regina Malveaux, CEO of the YWCA of Spokane, writes the following on Extreme Risk Protection Orders in the Spokesman-Review:

As an advocate for women and families, the rhetoric of some opponents of “extreme risk protection orders” is deeply troubling. These orders are a tool that allow family members and law enforcement to prevent gun-related tragedies – suicide, homicide and mass shootings. It will also close a loophole in domestic violence and sexual assault protection orders that allows certain abusers to access firearms while protection orders are in place.

. . .

The data on guns and violence against women are disturbing and totally unacceptable in a civilized nation. American women are 11 times more likely to be killed with a gun than women in other developed countries. The presence of a gun in the home makes it five times more likely that a domestic violence situation will become a murder. And every month more than 50 women are killed by a current or former romantic partner.

. . .

Smart, responsible gun laws can change these terrible numbers. Unfortunately, gun lobby advocates have opposed solutions like extreme risk protection orders with offensive and damaging language that paints women seeking protection orders as “vindictive petitioners” and worse.

Over the past several months, in official hearings in the state House of Representatives and in newspaper and television interviews, the narrative has become clear. Instead of acknowledging the inherent difficulty and sensitivity of protecting yourself from a loved one, the gun lobby has chosen to paint women as “vindictive” and “angry ex’s.”

This rhetoric would suggest that a woman’s safety, a family’s safety, a community’s safety is simply not worth taking seriously.

Read her full op-ed on the critical importance of Extreme Risk Protection Orders and how they can help prevent gun violence and tragedies on our state here.