In the wake of the Orlando tragedy and following last week’s historic Senate filibuster and House sit-in calling for Congress to take action on common sense gun reform – and the continued activity happening in districts across the country during this week’s recess – you may have missed the recent major victories for gun safety in both the Supreme Court and the state legislatures in both red and blue states.
Supreme Court Ruling: Domestic Abusers Should Not Have Guns
On Monday, the Supreme Court in Voisine v. United States ruled in favor of public safety. The decision ensures that people convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence will continue to be prohibited from purchasing and possessing firearms. Access to a gun is what often turns domestic abuse into murder. In fact, research shows that the presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation makes it five times more likely that a woman will be killed. That’s why the Supreme Court’s rejection of the dangerous arguments that would have eviscerated federal gun laws and allowed dangerous convicted abusers to legally possess guns in more than two-thirds of states is a significant victory for public safety.
It’s Happening In the States: Missouri Governor Bucks the NRA, Vetoes Stand Your Ground Expansion
Earlier this week Missouri Governor Jay Nixon vetoed SB 656, a dangerous gun bill that would have dismantled Missouri’s concealed carry permit requirement and let some violent criminals, certain repeat drug offenders, and people with no firearms safety training carry hidden, loaded handguns in public. SB 656 would also have upended Missouri self-defense law and allowed people to shoot to kill in public places, even when they can clearly and safely walk away from the danger. The bill would have made Missouri the first new Stand Your Ground state since 2011 – and stopping it was a priority for Everytown and Moms Demand Action.
Prior to the veto, Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and the Missouri chapter of Moms Demand Action, a part of Everytown for Gun Safety, released a television ad urging Missouri lawmakers to reject SB 656. In addition to the ad, the Missouri chapter of Moms Demand Action drove hundreds of calls in to legislator offices, testified in House and Senate committee hearings, gathered thousands of petition signatures urging the Governor to veto the bill and met with lawmakers to show their support for common sense gun safety measures and opposition to dangerous bills like SB 656.
In addition to the gun sense victory in Missouri, Everytown and Moms Demand Action saw progress made to keep guns out of dangerous hands in Delaware, Hawaii and New Hampshire as well. If you would like more information about these recent gun safety victories or other pending legislation, please reach out.