New Jersey has some of the strictest gun laws in the United States, but not strict enough to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers and stalkers. Last year, there were 14 domestic abuse-related murdersuicides in New Jersey.
On average, 47 women are murdered by gun monthly in America at the hands of an intimate partner or a stalker.
Limiting firearm access to domestic abusers and stalkers will reduce the number of women murdered and victimized in America.
Since Congress is slow to move on this issue, states are taking matters into their own hands. New Jersey Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera (D-Camden, Gloucester) is sponsoring legislation to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers.
The legislation would do the following:
Require domestic abusers to surrender all of their guns if a domestic violence restraining order is in effect, or if they are convicted of a domestic violence crime Suspend the gun purchaser ID cards and permits of abusers
Revoke such cards if an abuser is convicted of a domestic violence crime
Require cross-checking of records to determine if an abuser owns a firearm
Abused women rarely have access to money or guns to protect themselves and their children. It is up to us to protect New Jersey women by supporting state legislation that keeps guns out of the hands of domestic abusers.
We must also urge our congressman, Chris Smith, to support national legislation to protect women. Congressman Smith has not co-sponsored any current legislation to protect women.
Francee Tendler
Manalapan