Voice of the Mid-Columbia | Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, Wash. |
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closeFriday, Jun. 12, 2009
Guns make domestic violence more lethal
By Kelly Abken and Nan Stoops, Mid-Columbia Voices
In the first four months of this year, 13 women, men and children in our state were killed in domestic violence homicides.
Nearly two-thirds of these victims, 61 percent, were killed with a firearm. They are not alone. Since 1997, abusers in Washington used firearms to kill 232 victims, more than all other methods of domestic violence homicide combined.
Next week is the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence, an international effort to raise awareness and mobilize change. It is a time for all of us to remember the lives lost.
According to Johns Hopkins University Center for Gun Policy and Research, the presence of a gun at home is associated with a three times higher risk of homicide. The risk is 20 times higher when there has been a history of domestic violence.
We have federal and state laws that prohibit convicted domestic violence offenders and those subject to protective orders from possessing firearms. However, for the most part, our criminal legal system relies on violent abusers to initiate turning in their guns.
There are critical steps we can take at the federal, local and individual levels during the week of action. Federal law enforcement officials should make the arrest and prosecution of individuals who violate federal firearm laws a top priority.
Judges should routinely order abusers to surrender their firearms, and law enforcement agencies should take and store them.
Some law enforcement agencies and courts in Washington have developed policies and protocols to get illegally owned guns out of the hands of domestic violence abusers.
They have shown us that good laws can be turned into effective practice, and we applaud their efforts. During this week of action, we ask that every jurisdiction in our state follow this example.
As individuals, we should educate ourselves about domestic violence, the increased risk of homicide when there are guns at home, and where to turn for help.
If someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, ask about guns in the home. Call Domestic Violence Services of Benton and Franklin Counties at 800-648-1277 to talk about planning for safety.
Domestic violence is a complex issue with no simple answers, but it is simple for each of us to play a role in ending it. Taking action today could save a life tomorrow.
* Kelly Abken is the executive director of Domestic Violence Services of Benton and Franklin Counties. Nan Stoops is the executive director of the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Editorials are the consensus of the Tri-City Herald editorial board.
Editorial board members are Rufus Friday, publisher; Chris Sivula, editorial page editor; Ken Robertson, executive editor; Matt Taylor, contributing editor; Lori Lancaster, editorial writer; Shelly Norman, editorial writer and Jack Briggs, retired publisher
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