FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 3, 2022 

Press Contact: Jessica Merrill: Jessica@cpedv.org | (916) 238-5705

Any survivor in need of assistance should contact their local domestic violence program (see CPEDV.org for locations) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1800-799-7233) for 24/7 free, confidential support.

The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence and anti-violence advocates across the state are rightfully disturbed by the precedence that Judge Wilson’s opinion on United States v. Rahimi sets for the safety of domestic violence victims and all Americans. This ruling puts domestic violence victims and their communities in grave danger. 

California’s Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO) firearms prohibitions currently remain in place despite this ruling, and domestic violence organizations throughout the state are available to help victims file for protections. Any survivor in need of assistance should contact their local domestic violence program or the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1800-799-7233) for 24/7 free, confidential support. 

California’s domestic violence restraining orders automatically include firearm and ammunition prohibitions, meaning a person who has a DVRO issued against them generally cannot own, purchase, or possess firearms and ammunition. In addition to firearms protections, the restraining orders also include a range of remedies that survivors may need, such as child custody and visitation, attorney fees, move-out orders, and prohibitions on being violent or accessing a home, school, or place of employment.  

There is no doubt that firearms and domestic violence are a deadly combination. A person who causes harm is five times more likely to kill their partner when they have access to a firearm. According to the Attorney General’s 2021 Homicides in California report, communities and survivors of color are disproportionately impacted. In particular, Black women are twice as likely to be shot and killed by an intimate partner in comparison to white women.

As a national leader, California has the responsibility to work to prevent domestic violence and community homicides. Guns must be kept away from people who commit acts of domestic violence. It is essential that California’s courts and law enforcement agencies effectively uphold these firearms prohibitions. When laws requiring that firearms be turned in are implemented, we see a 16 percent reduction in domestic violence homicides. We can make a difference and save lives by ensuring access to safety planning and key legal remedies where appropriate. 

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About the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence: 

The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (the Partnership) is California’s recognized domestic violence coalition, representing over 1,000 survivors, advocates, organizations and allied individuals across the state. Working at the local, state, and national levels for nearly 40 years, the Partnership has a long track record of successfully passing over 200 pieces of legislation on behalf of domestic violence victims and their children. The Partnership believes that by collectively working with our diverse membership, advocates, and state policy makers, we can deepen the process of healing and restoration by identifying and addressing the underlying and contributing factors. It is through our shared expertise in creating system-wide change by way of our public policy, prevention, communications, and capacity building programs that we are able to support and invest in survivors and families and endeavor to end domestic violence. Every day we inspire, inform and connect all those concerned with this issue, because we believe that together, we’re stronger. With offices in Sacramento, the Partnership’s member programs span the entire state. For more information, visit cpedv.org.