We’d like to let you know that the email below discusses domestic violence. If this is not something you’d like to read about today, please click away.

If you or someone you love is in danger, please know that you are not alone. There are resources available to you. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text “START” to 88788 to be connected with an advocate.

 

John—

Four days before my 25th wedding anniversary, my husband fired a gun at me.

Fortunately, he missed—but that moment changed my life and the lives of my children forever. The police warned me that he would try again to kill me and likely succeed. They encouraged me to petition for an emergency protection order that would temporarily restrict his access to guns. I followed their advice.

I still live with the repercussions of my now ex-husband shooting a gun at me. This happened back in 2005, but to this day, I duck every time I hear a loud noise and am overly sensitive to what is happening around me all the time. I felt safer after moving out of the state where he lived, but I’m always on guard.

Today I am very open about my experience in the hopes that my story might help other women in similar situations. Whenever gun ownership comes up in conversation, I am quick to admit that I am a gun owner.

I believe that gun ownership and gun violence prevention laws can and should go hand-in-hand. I believe in waiting periods after applying to purchase a gun, stricter background checks, eliminating ghost guns, requiring background checks for gun show purchases, and stronger penalties for illegal gun possession.

I’m grateful for the work that GIFFORDS Law Center does to draft, pass, and implement these and other gun safety laws. As Domestic Violence Awareness Month draws to a close, I hope that you’ll consider supporting GIFFORDS Law Center in its mission to promote responsible gun ownership and prevent gun violence so that no woman ever finds herself in my situation.

With gratitude,
Bonita

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Bonita Boren
Survivor & Advocate
GIFFORDS Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence