The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a critical law that has had bipartisan support since 1994. Common-sense gun safety provisions in a new reauthorization bill will expand domestic violence protections for victims, close the boyfriend and stalker loopholes, and require law enforcement officials to be notified each time an abuser tries to buy a firearm and fails the background check.
But the NRA is inserting itself in the federal fight against VAWA to stop these provisions and allow domestic abusers to continue to have easy access to guns! Add your name to the petition below and urge Congress to stand up for the safety of women and to REJECT the NRA's extremist position.
Dear Lawmakers,
As your constituent, I urge you to vote YES on the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization and support the gun safety measures in VAWA that will protect women and save lives. Although federal law prohibits those convicted of, or under a restraining order for, abusing their spouses from possessing guns, there is a loophole that allows abusive dating partners and stalkers to have guns.
When a gun is present in a domestic violence situation, it's five times more likely that the woman will be killed by her abusive partner. Domestic violence homicides are as likely to be committed by dating partners as by spouses. And common-sense, bipartisan provisions in the VAWA reauthorization will keep guns away from abusive dating partners and stalkers — and save lives. VAWA will also alert law enforcement when domestic abusers try to purchase a gun but fail a federal background check — a critical intervention tool. The reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act is an important chance to strengthen our laws to protect women from deadly intimate partner gun violence.
Please vote to reauthorize this vital law and reject any dangerous amendments that could add guns to volatile situations.