SEATTLE, WA –  Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments from both sides in U.S. v. Rahimi; the lawsuit centers on an extreme and deadly decision by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to strike down the longstanding federal law that prohibits domestic abusers from subject to protective orders from possessing guns. The statistics show that a domestic abuser’s access to firearms is one of the most significant risk factors for the escalation of domestic violence. 

Every year, more than 600 American women are shot to death by intimate partners—that translates to a woman being killed by a domestic violence abuser with a gun approximately every 14 hours. It is crucial that the Supreme Court carefully considers the impact of its decisions on the lives of those most vulnerable to gun violence, including victims of domestic violence and their families.

Dylan O’Connor, Director of Government Affairs at the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, issued the following statement:

“Research shows that the most important element in preventing fatalities and serious injuries is to remove firearms from the situation. Prohibiting access to deadly firearms for domestic violence abusers is a constitutional and lifesaving measure. Guns are frequently used in domestic violence homicides, with female intimate partners at a higher risk of gun-related fatalities compared to all other methods combined.”

“In Washington state, regulations mandating the lawful surrender of firearms by domestic abusers under protection orders have been proven to preserve lives and ensure the safety of family members and communities.”

“The Supreme Court must uphold the rights of victims of domestic violence and overturn the Fifth Circuit`s ruling to strike down the federal law that prohibits those subject to qualifying domestic violence restraining orders from possessing guns, thereby safeguarding the lives of victims of domestic violence and their loved ones.”