June 21, 2024
Statement of Esta Soler,
President and Founder, Futures Without Violence
Contact: Lisa Lederer, 202/371-1997
Futures Without Violence Applauds SCOTUS Ruling in United States v. Rahimi – But the Work to Protect Women, Children from Guns Must Continue
“The country can breathe a massive sigh of relief because the U.S. Supreme Court ruled decisively today, by a vote of 8 to 1, that the government can deny firearms to people who have domestic violence protective orders against them. In overturning the dangerous 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in United States v. Rahimi, SCOTUS rightly refused to end a common-sense safety measure that has been making our families and communities safer for decades.
“Domestic violence is a grave problem in our country that is made all the more deadly when guns are present. Tragically, each month an average of 70 women are shot and killed by a partner – and gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teens ages 1-19. Domestic violence-related homicides have increased, and the preponderance of guns is one reason; a firearm in the home increases the likelihood a woman facing domestic violence will be killed by a male partner by a stunning 500 percent.
“And what happens in the home doesn’t stay in the home. Allowing domestic abusers to access guns makes communities more dangerous. More than two-thirds of mass shootings involve some connection to domestic violence or are committed by shooters with a domestic violence history.
“Gun violence is a public health crisis, but it is preventable. At Futures Without Violence, we are working to: engage judges to make sure people subject to restraining orders actually surrender their firearms; convince Congress to fully close the ‘boyfriend (or dating) loophole’ by ensuring these lifesaving firearm prohibitions also protect dating partners who have been abused; ban assault weapons to protect families and communities from the violence, mass casualties, and trauma they can cause; and invest considerably more resources in both helping children and youth exposed to violence and trauma recover and heal, and in community-based violence prevention and intervention. Only by doing all that will we end – and begin to heal from – the scourge of violence that is undermining our country’s safety, health, wellbeing, and success.”
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ABOUT FUTURES WITHOUT VIOLENCE:
For more than 35 years, FUTURES has been providing groundbreaking programs, policies and campaigns that empower individuals and organizations working to end violence against women and children around the world. Striving to reach new audiences and transform social norms, FUTURES trains professionals such as doctors, nurses, judges and athletic coaches on improving responses to violence and abuse. FUTURES also works with advocates, policymakers and others to build sustainable community leadership and educate people everywhere about the importance of respect and healthy relationships. More information is available at www.futureswithoutviolence.org.
