Advocacy Alert: PA DV Officer Shooting
Jewish Women International grieves with the York County, Pennsylvania community after the tragic shooting in which three police officers were killed and two more wounded while serving a domestic violence search warrant. Our hearts are with the families of the slain officers, and we pray for healing for the injured officers.
This devastating incident underscores what we at JWI know too well: the impacts of domestic violence are rarely confined to the direct victim. Domestic violence puts children, responding officers, and entire communities at risk. And when abusers have access to firearms, the danger escalates—often with deadly results. JWI is committed to ensuring that all women have the opportunity to actualize their full potential–which is why a key component of our work to empower women and support women’s leadership is building a society in which women are free from violence.
Right now, the Department of Justice is soliciting feedback on a proposed process by which people prohibited from having guns under federal law can apply to have their firearm access restored. The proposed process includes some safeguards to prevent people who pose an ongoing danger of domestic violence from having their firearm access restored, but some important improvements would strengthen the final version.
Join us on October 6 for a webinar to help attendees submit comments to the Department of Justice offering solutions to strengthen the safeguards in order to protect victims and survivors of domestic violence.
The Pennsylvania tragedy is yet another painful reminder of the need to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers who pose a danger to their victims, their families, law enforcement, and their communities.
Best,
Rachel Graber, VP of Government Relations and Advocacy
JWI is the leading Jewish organization championing women and girls by preventing domestic violence and sexual abuse, addressing the intersection of domestic violence and gun violence, building pathways to long-term economic security, and strengthening access to every level of leadership in our communities, workplaces, and country.