Note: This email discusses domestic violence. If you or someone you know needs support, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline or visit PCADV’s website to find a help center near you.
Gun violence is shattering families across the country.
Late last week, Dr. Cerina Fairfax, a respected dentist and mother, was killed by her husband, former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, in a firearm murder-suicide as she sought to leave her marriage.
On the same day, 49-year-old Buffi Camille Smith of Greencastle, Pennsylvania, was shot and killed. Pennsylvania state police suspect her ex-husband forced his way into her home and killed her.
Days later, in Shreveport, Louisiana, a gunman opened fire in a domestic violence attack, killing eight children between the ages of 3 and 11, and critically wounding two women.
Our hearts are with the families and communities living through these unspeakable losses.
While other forms of gun violence are declining, domestic violence gun deaths are rising across the country, and are too high here in Pennsylvania. When firearms are used in a domestic violence attack, the attack is 12 times more likely to end in death than with any other weapon.1
We refuse to accept that this is simply how things have to be. All gun violence is preventable — and domestic violence is no exception.
We've made progress. In 2018, Governor Wolf signed Act 79, requiring abusers subject to final Protection from Abuse Orders to surrender their firearms within 24 hours. Act 79 is a valuable tool for law enforcement to keep guns out of the hands of abusers. It was a hard-won victory, and it's saving lives.
But we need to do more.
Last year in Pennsylvania, 92 domestic violence victims were shot and killed.2
One of the best ways to protect victims of domestic violence is to prevent abusers from grabbing a gun. Use our tool to tell your lawmakers to support and pass lifesaving secure storage legislation.
