Today, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a crucial victory in United States v. Rahimi by upholding a law protecting domestic violence survivors from the continued threat of gun violence. This decision prohibits people subject to domestic violence restraining orders from possessing firearms—a lifesaving measure that will protect countless lives.
This case starkly illustrates the importance of this ruling. Despite a restraining order prohibiting Zackey Rahimi from possessing firearms after he viciously assaulted his then-girlfriend, Rahimi then violated that restraining order, not only by repeatedly contacting her—but by threatening a different woman with a gun and participating in at least five additional shootings. His challenge based on Second Amendment rights was rightly rejected by the Supreme Court, affirming his conviction in a decision by Chief Justice John Roberts, which was joined by seven other Justices.
This decision is a BIG victory for survivors of domestic violence, their families, and it’s a testament to the work we’ve done together in our movement to fight the gun lobby’s deadly agenda to gut gun laws across the country. It reaffirms our belief that through relentless advocacy and unwavering commitment, we can make our communities safer.
However, it also highlights the persistent challenges in our nation. The need for this case to reach the Supreme Court demonstrates that we must remain vigilant in safeguarding the well-being of survivors and our community
In the United States, firearms remain the most common weapons used in domestic violence homicides, and the mere presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation makes it FIVE TIMES as likely that a woman will be killed. In addition, every 12 hours, someone in our country is tragically killed by a current or former intimate partner.
IT DOESN`T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY.
Research shows that the most important element in preventing fatalities and serious injuries is to remove firearms from the situation. That’s why we need your urgent support today. Your donation will enable us to advocate for comprehensive gun safety laws, close dangerous loopholes, and oppose bills that jeopardize the safety of our community.
Together, we can stand up against the gun lobby and its extremist agenda and ensure that survivors of domestic violence have the protection they need and deserve.
Thank you for standing with us in this critical fight
Renée Hopkins
CEO, Alliance for Gun Responsibility
P.S. click here to read our statement in regards to the Supreme Courts decision on U.S. v. Rahimi
