The Massachusetts chapter of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, released the following statement in response to a shooting of a family in Andover, Massachusetts in which a mother, father and their 12-year son were found shot and killed inside their home. According to early reports, the father died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound and this was likely a tragic case of domestic gun violence — the owner of the home had a license to carry firearms that expired last February. The Essex District Attorney, Paul F. Tucker stated that the shooting was contained within the home and reminded the public to seek support if they are experiencing a mental health crisis.
“We are devastated by this awful act of gun violence that has shattered a family — and our thoughts are with their loved ones during this difficult time,” said Ann Haaser, a volunteer with the Massachusetts chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Although details are still unfolding, this shooting is a tragic reminder of the need to make sure that people who are in crisis don’t have access to a firearm to prevent gun related acts of domestic violence.”
Gun-related intimate partner violence is a devastating and lethal crisis facing women and families in the United States. Every month, an average of 70 women are shot and killed by an intimate partner. Over the past two years, the Everytown Gun Safety Support Fund has provided nearly $350,000 in grants to aid 40 local and state domestic violence organizations. The grant program is continuing to support domestic violence organizations with a demonstrated track record of supporting victims of domestic violence in their community with a focus on Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color, who are victims of intimate partner firearm homicide at the highest rates. Learn more about the grantees here.
More information on gun-related domestic violence is available here. Information about the intersection of intimate partner violence and guns is available here. To speak with a policy expert, Moms Demand Action and/or Students Demand Action volunteer, or survivor of gun violence please do not hesitate to reach out.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or intimate partner violence, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, available 24/7, for confidential assistance from a trained advocate. If you’re unable to speak safely via phone, you can chat online at thehotline.org.
