HB 776 Would Prohibit Convicted Stalkers Who Are Subject To Protective Orders from Buying or Having Guns
A Volunteer with the Louisiana Chapter of Moms Demand Action Testified in Support of HB 776 Earlier Today
BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today applauded members of the House Criminal Justice Committee for advancing HB 776, which would prohibit convicted stalkers subject to protective orders from buying and possessing guns. Louisiana law generally prohibits convicted domestic abusers and those subject to active domestic violence restraining orders from buying or having guns. But, it does not currently prohibit people convicted of misdemeanor stalking crimes from having guns, even though stalking is a strong predictor of intimate partner homicide. This bill would prohibit people convicted of misdemeanor stalking from buying or having guns when a protective order is also issued at the time of sentencing and it is a important step in keeping guns out of the hands of convicted stalkers.
STATEMENT FROM ANGELLE BRADFORD, VOLUNTEER WITH THE LOUISIANA CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“Studies show that in the vast majority of murders and attempted murders of women by their partners, there was a previous incident of stalking. That’s why making sure people who are convicted of stalking don’t have access to guns is so important. I’m thankful that our elected leaders voted to advance this life-saving legislation today and urge members of the full House of Representatives to support it.”