CLEVELAND — According to a startling federal statistic, 53 women are shot and killed by an intimate partner every month.
Now, a crackdown by the feds aims to get guns out of the hands of those convicted of domestic violence who are not allowed by law to have a firearm.
"Under federal law, somebody convicted of a misdemeanor domestic violence offense or someone subject to an order of protection in domestic violence is not allowed to possess a firearm,” said Justin Herdman, U.S. Attorney Northern District of Oho.
The goal is to save the lives of domestic violence victims and the police officers responding to domestic violence calls.
“You gotta do something to send a strong message that domestic violence will not be tolerated,” said Laura Cowen, Domestic Violence Advocate.
The initiative started in 2019 and so far in northern Ohio, there has been a 300% increase in the number of cases brought against domestic violence offenders than in the previous three years.
“It’s been proven guns are far more likely to be used in a homicide against a victim of domestic violence, far more likely to be used against law enforcement who are responding to a domestic violence incident,” said Herdman
Across the country, the Department of Justice has charged more than 500 domestic violence cases involving a firearm this year.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. If you need or someone you know needs help, there are resources available in every county.
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