Why bipartisan solutions to prevent gun-related domestic violence are already working—and where we still fall short
The Scale of the Crisis
Every year, more than 600 women in the United States are shot and killed by an intimate partner. That’s more than one every 15 hours. These deaths are not random. They happen in kitchens, bedrooms, driveways, and parking lots—often after a victim has already reached out for help.
The numbers make one fact unavoidable: when guns are present in abusive relationships, the risk of homicide rises fivefold.
This is not a partisan talking point. It’s a public safety emergency.
A Crisis Without Borders
Domestic violence survivors live in every type of community—small towns, suburbs, big cities. They are teachers, business owners, veterans, nurses, and students. They vote differently. They worship differently. But the threat they face is the same.
The geographic and political map of this violence is bipartisan: red states, blue states, rural counties, urban centers. What changes is how states respond.
Policy Tools That Save Lives
While debates over guns often split along party lines, some of the most effective domestic violence protections have quietly earned support in both Republican- and Democratic-led states:
- Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), or “red flag” laws, allow temporary removal of firearms from people who pose a danger to themselves or others.
- Protective orders with enforceable firearm surrender requirements.
- Victim support services including shelters, counseling, and relocation aid.
When implemented and enforced, these measures prevent tragedies. The data—and the stories—prove it.
Case Studies: State Action, Real Results
Illinois – Karina’s Law
In 2025, Illinois enacted Karina’s Law after the murder of Karina Gonzalez and her 11-year-old daughter. Both were killed by her estranged husband, who kept his gun despite a protective order and a revoked Firearm Owner Identification (FOID) card. The new law requires police to remove firearms when protective orders are issued and FOID cards are revoked, closing a dangerous enforcement gap (Wikipedia, n.d.-a; My Journal Courier, 2025).
Connecticut – Jennifer’s Law
Passed in 2021, Jennifer’s Law honors Jennifer Magnano, who was murdered during a custody dispute despite existing legal protections. The law expands the definition of domestic abuse to include coercive control and strengthens firearm restrictions for abusers (Wikipedia, n.d.-b).
Michigan – Red Flag Orders in Action
Michigan’s first year under its Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) law saw nearly 300 court-approved gun removal orders. These cases ranged from threats of self-harm to credible threats against others, demonstrating how quickly ERPOs can be used to intervene (Michigan Advance, 2025).
California & Multi-State Data
In California, 13.2% of ERPO petitions involved individuals suspected of planning mass shootings. Across six states, roughly 10% of ERPO cases targeted people threatening to kill three or more others, indicating that these laws can prevent large-scale tragedies before they occur (RAND Corporation, n.d.).
Utah – The Sandy Tragedy
In 2017, Memorez Rackley and two others were killed by her ex-partner in Sandy, Utah. She had sought help from police but was ineligible for a protective order because she and her abuser had never lived together. The case spurred Utah lawmakers to expand eligibility criteria for protective orders, addressing a critical legal gap (Wikipedia, n.d.-c).
The Public’s Role
Policy is only one part of the solution. Preventing domestic violence requires community action and awareness.
Here’s what individuals can do:
- Advocate for ERPOs and firearm surrender requirements in your state.
- Support local shelters and domestic violence programs with donations, volunteering, or professional expertise.
- Share resources like the National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-SAFE) with friends, coworkers, and community groups.
Why Urgency Matters
Domestic violence doesn’t care how you vote. The laws that protect victims and remove guns from dangerous situations work regardless of political affiliation.
The real divide isn’t between red states and blue states—it’s between states that act, and states that wait.
We already know what saves lives. The choice now is whether we use it.
We want to hear from you!!
Domestic violence touches every community, but solutions work best when they reflect the realities people face on the ground.
- Have you or someone you know been impacted by domestic violence laws, protective orders, or red flag measures?
- Do you see gaps in how your state addresses firearm access in abusive situations?
- Are there local programs or shelters you think deserve more attention?
Share your thoughts, experiences, and recommendations in the comments or by contacting us directly. Your insights can help shape the policies, resources, and conversations that save lives.
If you or someone you know is in danger, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788.
References
GIFFORDS Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence – Domestic Violence and Firearms Statistics
https://giffords.org/lawcenter/gun-laws/policy-areas/who-can-have-a-gun/domestic-violence-and-firearms/
Everytown for Gun Safety – Extreme Risk Protection Orders: State by State
https://everytownresearch.org/solution/extreme-risk-laws/
Wikipedia – Karina’s Law (Illinois)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karina%27s_Law
My Journal Courier – Governor signs Karina’s Law
https://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/article/karinas-law-illinois-protective-orders-guns-18698888.php
Wikipedia – Jennifer’s Law (Connecticut)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer%27s_Law_(Connecticut)
Michigan Advance – Nearly 300 gun confiscation orders were granted in Michigan’s first year of red flag laws
https://michiganadvance.com/2025/02/14/nearly-300-gun-confiscation-orders-were-granted-in-michigans-first-year-of-red-flag-laws/
RAND Corporation – Extreme Risk Protection Orders (multi-state data)
https://www.rand.org/research/gun-policy/analysis/extreme-risk-protection-orders.html
Wikipedia – Sandy, Utah attack (2017)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy%2C_Utah_attack
National Domestic Violence Hotline – Get Help
https://www.thehotline.org/