TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today applauded Gov. Jeff Colyer for signing HB 2145, a bill that will close gaps in Kansas law that give domestic abusers easy access to guns.
Most states have laws that prohibit people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes and abusers subject to active protection orders from having guns. Kansas has had neither, but HB 2145 will now prohibit gun possession by convicted domestic abusers, including abusive dating partners, and by domestic abusers who are subject to active protection orders.
The House and Senate both passed versions of HB 2145 with unanimous votes this session. The Senate’s vote came the day after more than a hundred Moms Demand Action volunteers and other gun violence prevention advocates rallied outside the State Capitol and urged the Senate to pass HB 2145.
Since the beginning of the legislative session, survivors of domestic violence and other volunteers with Moms Demand Action have been urging lawmakers to pass HB 2145. Moms Demand Action volunteers have had a continued presence at the Statehouse throughout the 2018 legislative session, more than 250 people have attended rallies at the Capitol and volunteers have driven hundreds of calls and emails to lawmakers in support of the legislation.
STATEMENT FROM JO ELLA HOYE, VOLUNTEER WITH THE KANSAS CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“Today is a historic day for Kansas. Lawmakers worked together to do what is right to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers, including certain abusive dating partners. Families across our state will be safer because of this important public safety law. When enough of us raise our voices, our legislators listen. Kansans have asked our leaders to do more to prevent gun violence for years, and now lawmakers from both parties have taken action that will save lives.”