According to Everytown Research, 54 Percent of Mass Shootings Are Related to Domestic or Family Violence
NEW YORK – Today the New York chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, released the following statement applauding Governor Andrew Cuomo for his pledge to strengthen New York’s domestic violence laws. While New York law currently prohibits firearm possession and requires relinquishment by abusers convicted of certain violent misdemeanors and abusers who are subject to certain domestic violence restraining orders, dangerous loopholes in the current law still allow too many convicted abusers to legally access firearms. Closing these loopholes will protect New Yorkers by keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous domestic abusers.
According to a recent Everytown analysis of mass shootings between 2009 and 2016, the majority of mass shootings – 54 percent – are related to domestic or family violence, while 34 percent of mass shooters are legally prohibited from having guns.
STATEMENT FROM JUNE RUBIN, VOLUNTEER LEADER WITH THE NEW YORK CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“We applaud Governor Cuomo for prioritizing the safety of victims of domestic abuse in 2018 and his outspoken commitment to closing the dangerous loopholes that allow domestic abusers access to guns. A majority of mass shootings are related to domestic violence, and we’re glad Gov. Cuomo is working toward solutions to keep New York families and communities safe. In 2017, eight states, including Rhode Island and Utah, strengthened their domestic violence laws by enacting common sense legislation. We are excited that New York may continue this trend by joining these states in standing up for public safety and gun sense.”