Friend,

Today, I rallied with Brady and other gun violence prevention and domestic violence prevention groups outside of the Supreme Court while they heard arguments in U.S. v. Rahimi, a case that could give domestic abusers access to firearms. 

The Supreme Court’s decision in this case has the power to save lives and stop families from experiencing the loss and grief that mine did. 

Almost twenty years ago, my mom was shot and killed answering the door of her home. It took nearly twelve years, and two more lives being senselessly cut short before my mom’s killer was found and prosecuted. During the trial, it was revealed that the man who killed my mom had a history of abuse and was subject to a domestic violence restraining order, yet he was still able to obtain firearms. 

I spent many years asking why: Why did I have to lose my mom? Why did someone take her from our world before she had the chance to meet her grandchildren? Alongside so many unanswered why’s, I also began to ask: HOW?

HOW could a person known to have a record of abuse be allowed to possess a lethal weapon? Firearms are the most common weapons used in domestic violence homicides. It defies common sense that dangerous individuals like my mom’s murderer can easily gain access to their weapons of choice. 

Far too many other survivors of gun violence understand the unfathomable. We understand the dark and twisted dreams that haunt us, the grief that follows us like a shadow. What we don’t understand – can’t understand – is HOW.

HOW are our courts letting this happen to more families? HOW could the Fifth Circuit have decided that an abuser’s ability to access firearms is more vital than protecting survivors of domestic violence and the communities where these abusers threaten to wreak havoc?

Gun laws that protect victims of domestic abuse are among the most important public safety laws in this country. Everyone is safer when abusers don’t have access to firearms. That’s why Brady is fighting so hard to keep guns out of dangerous hands, protect our common sense gun laws, and pass even more.

The Supreme Court’s decision will not bring back my mom. Their decision will not heal me or my family, but their decision can stop other families from experiencing this grief. They hold the power to save lives and we hope they will do the right thing by the American people. Please, friend, will you join me in calling on the Court to rule in favor of the safety of our nation and keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers?

Thank you for taking action, friend.

Liz Dunning
Gun Violence Survivor
Chief Development & Engagement Officer