Shooting in Auburn Highlights Deadly Connection Between Gun Violence, Intimate Partner Violence

On Friday morning, a man shot and critically wounded a woman before taking his own life in a domestic-violence-related shooting in Auburn. The shooting came as domestic violence organizations in Maine and across the country are raising concerns that increased gun sales, financial stress and social isolation could increase the risk of domestic violence. 

The Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence has been working to ensure that the needs of survivors of domestic abuse are attended to during this public health emergency and continues to work with partner groups to ensure a continuity of service. Maine Moms Demand Action volunteers are also available to discuss the deadly link between guns and domestic violence. 

Intimate partner violence and gun violence in the U.S. are inextricably linked. Access to a gun in a domestic violence situation makes it five times more likely that the woman will be killed. Every month, an average of 52 women are shot and killed by an intimate partner. Nearly one million women alive today have reported being shot or shot at by intimate partners, and approximately 4.5 million women have reported being threatened with a gun. Children also bear the terrible burden of gun-related domestic violence: Data drawn from 16 states indicate that nearly two-thirds of child fatalities involving domestic violence were caused by guns. 

More information on the link between guns and domestic violence is available here. More information on gun violence in Maine is available here.