FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 21, 2024 

• 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/get-help for locations) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1800-799-7233) for 24/7 free, confidential support. 

SACRAMENTO, CA – In response to the Supreme Court ruling upholding the federal prohibition preventing those subject to Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVROs) from owning or purchasing guns, Krista Colón, Senior Director of Public Policy and Communications Strategies at the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, released the following statement: 

“Today, our nation’s highest court maintained the lifesaving legal policy preventing those subject to Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVROs) from having firearms. Domestic violence organizations remain steadfast sources of support for any Californian needing safety planning and legal advocacy, including assistance requesting a DVRO. 

The ruling acknowledges that guns must be kept away from people who commit acts of domestic violence, as they have been proven to increase lethality in abusive situations: A woman is five times more likely to be killed if the intimate partner causing her harm has access to a firearm. In particular, Black women are twice as likely to be shot and killed by an intimate partner in comparison to white women. Gun violence and domestic violence also affect the broader community: 50% of mass shootings included the murder of an intimate partner and over 2/3 of mass shootings have a connection to domestic violence. 

For years, California’s Domestic Violence Restraining Orders have provided a pathway to safety, mandating that guns be removed from the subject of the order. This ruling keeps this core part of DVROs—California courts’ most frequently issued protective order, according to a new report from Attorney General Rob Bonta. From 2020 to 2023, judges issued 361,980 DVROs.  

For the safety of survivors, their children, and communities, we cannot stop at keeping the law intact— effective implementation of restraining orders’ firearms prohibitions are central to survivors’ safety. Courts and law enforcement must act quickly to remove guns when domestic violence occurs. Our coalition will continue to elevate EndingGV.org, a toolkit designed to support survivors in their safety and healing, prevent gun violence and provide vital resources to domestic violence service providers.” 

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The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (the Partnership) works to prevent and end domestic violence in California by mobilizing over 1,000 survivors, advocates, organizations, and allies. Via public policy, prevention, communications, and community-based strategic engagement, we strive to build healthy relationships at all levels by eliminating the injustices which perpetuate cycles of violence, elevating and expanding opportunities for innovative solutions that center survivors, and building and funding support for local programs. For more information, visit cpedv.org.