Common Sense Gun Control
On March 23, 2013, in Huntingdon County, Hollie Ayer’s estranged husband shot and killed her two-year-old son and then himself. Hollie had a final protection order against her husband, but it did not require him to turn in his guns. Last year, 57 Pennsylvanians were shot in domestic violence incidents. That is over half of all of domestic violence victims who were killed. People issued final protection from Abuse orders (PFA) from judges should not have access to their guns. This seems like a pretty clear concept. However, PA allows this to happen and our legislators have the opportunity to change this. Domestic Violence Victim Services organizations like Transitions are hoping that the PA Senate will make some common sense changes to laws that have long been opposed by the “gun lobby.” Our Senators are considering how to keep victims of abuse and their children safe. How the process works in Harrisburg and in Washington, D.C., is that the...