I miss her every single day, friend.

My beloved sister, Barbara, was a force. She was a beauty queen. She was a mother, a sister, a pilot, an entertainer, and an all-around adventurous person. People never forgot her once they met her.

My sister, Barbara

But in August 1992, Barbara’s life was stolen, and now I’m only left with memories of her. 

Like far too many others in America, Barbara was shot and killed by her estranged husband. She had a restraining order against him. He’d become more and more aggressive and increasingly unstable. She told her friends she was worried about his guns — and clearly she had every reason to be. 

Friend, I know I can’t bring my sister back. But I can advocate for solutions to prevent similar tragedies — and that’s why I’m reaching out to you today. With the Trump administration advancing a deadly measure to arm domestic abusers, we don’t have much time to act.

In just two days, the Trump administration will close the deadline for a measure that could allow convicted domestic abusers to regain the right to own a firearm. Gun traffickers and people with histories of violent hate crimes could also get their gun rights restored, putting everyone — especially victims of domestic violence — at greater risk of gun violence. 

This move is sickening, especially during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Every 16 hours, a woman is shot and killed by a husband or boyfriend, and 10 million people in this country experience domestic violence each year. And a woman is five times more likely to be murdered when her abuser has a firearm.

Lives are on the line, friend — and that’s why I need your help fighting back BEFORE the deadline closes at midnight tonight. The NRA and gun industry are flooding the Department of Justice with comments in support of this dangerous new measure, so please take action NOW before it’s too late.

There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of Barbara and who she would have become. 

But in memory of my sister and the many thousands of Americans who have been killed by domestic violence and gun violence, I demand action. I honor the lives lost with action. And I hope you’ll join me, friend.

In solidarity,
Joan Peterson 

Brady Minnesota Leader

Gun Violence Survivor