Add your name: Tell President Biden to address the deadly dating partner loophole
Content notice: This message contains discussion of domestic violence, gun violence, and suicide. If you or someone you know is being mistreated or hurt by a partner, reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline available 24/7 by calling 1-800-799-7233 or if you're unable to speak safely, you can chat online at thehotline.org.
John–
When I was 15 years old, my older sister left what we had not known was an abusive relationship. It wasn't until he began stalking her and relentlessly harassing our family that we realized something was wrong. We sought help from the police—he was arrested for harassment and quickly released on bail.
A few days later, just before 8 a.m. on Friday, December 30, 1994, my family woke to gun shots as he shot the locks off the doors to our home. My dad, Steve, tried to save my sister as we ran from the house, but he was shot and killed. My mom, my sister and I made it safely to a neighbor's house; the gunman left and killed himself later that day.
An abusive dating partner was a death sentence for my family. Our elected leaders can't let abusive dating partners put any more lives at risk. Add your name to urge President Biden to address the dating partner loophole.
Because of the dating partner loophole, deadly gun violence at the hands of abusive dating partners is far too common. Women are just as likely to be killed by dating partners as they are by spouses—but the federal government has not fully enforced laws to keep guns out of their hands.
Right now, President Biden has the power to change that. With the stroke of his pen, he can address the dating partner loophole and save lives. He can make sure that federal law is enforced to protect women and their families from convicted, abusive dating partners.
He can make sure that there are fewer people with stories like mine.
Add your name today: Urge President Biden to address the dating partner loophole.
On that winter day in 1994, a husband and father was taken from our family. Our lives were never the same. My dad could not walk his daughters down the aisle on our wedding days. Our community mourned and still remembers Coach Starr, their beloved football coach and sixth grade teacher. My dad was funny, friendly, a mentor to many, a gentle giant.
While we will always be grateful for his sacrifice, a father shouldn't have to sacrifice his life to protect his child from a dangerous abuser.
Thank you for honoring my father, Coach Starr, with action.
Tiffany Starr
Everytown Survivor Network
