In today’s National headlines, the US Supreme Court is hearing an important gun rights case regarding whether individuals accused of domestic violence should be allowed to own guns. ABC’s Derrik Dennis reports on what can be expected. Victims of domestic violence are closely watching the Supreme Court as they challenge a federal law that prohibits Americans with domestic abuse restraining orders from owning firearms. A survivor, Lea Crittin, who was shot by her abusive partner, believes the law would have protected her if a restraining order had been in place.
However, she was informed by the police that there was little they could do. Each year, thousands of domestic violence restraining orders are issued by judges to limit contact between aggressors and victims, resulting in the prevention of around 77,000 gun purchases through background checks. Advocates emphasize that these laws play a vital role in preventing intimate partners from committing fatal acts with firearms. However, the Supreme Court must now decide on the constitutionality of the law after a lower court ruled it violates the Second Amendment.
Critics argue that the law disarms both victims and abusers, thereby affecting law-abiding citizens. Domestic violence survivors, like Lea, argue that keeping the law intact is a matter of life and death, as it restricts access to deadly weapons.
Gun safety and domestic violence prevention advocates, along with gun rights advocates, are expected to rally at the Supreme Court as oral arguments commence..
