A Gun in the Hands of an Abuser

Mia Caicedo
July 15, 2023

The second amendment grants the constitutional right to bear arms. Is there a point at which this right should be taken away? Would taking away that right from known domestic violence abusers save lives? In the state of Texas, there is no law that will take a gun out of the hands of a known abuser.

Domestic violence happens to a national average of about 1 out of every 4 women. The pattern of abuse knows no single race, religion, nor socio-economic situation. In a domestic violence relationship, the abuser owning a gun can significantly increase the chances the victim will be killed. Access to a gun means that there will be a five-fold higher likelihood of victim fatality. As of 2020 an average of 70 women in the United States are shot and killed by their intimate partner each month. Devastatingly, it is not just the partners of abusers at risk. It is their family, too. Nearly 2 in 3 children or teens listed in mass shootings fatalities have died in an incident of domestic violence. In short, an abuser owning a gun is the difference between life and death.

Texas has the 12th-highest rate of domestic violence with 40.1% of Texas women and 34.9% of Texas men experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner rape, and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimes. Shockingly, 75% of Texas 16 to 24 year-olds have either experienced dating violence or know another young person who has. Does the right to own a gun matter more to the State of Texas than making sure its residents are safe?

Covid locked victims at home with their abusers, and domestic violence cases rose by 8 percent in the United States. In 2021, there were a total of 204 individuals killed by intimate partner violence. Out of that, 70% of these homicides were committed with a gun. Is the right to access firearms valued more highly than the lives of domestic violence victims?

Many people may argue that arming the victim would save lives but what happens when the abuser takes or finds their gun? Every time a victim leaves their abuser their situation becomes more and more dangerous.

Texas laws protect the right to own guns more than it protects their citizens. With the 12th highest rate of domestic violence in the country there should be laws that protect victims of domestic violence. Men and women experience domestic violence and someone who has a violent past of hurting others has no business owning a gun. They are eventually going to use it when they are desperate enough and anyone– whether it be children or other family– that is in the crossfire will be hurt in that process. Texas has been making great changes in care for domestic violence victims and this is one more thing that could save the lives of victims.