HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Susan Kelly-Dreiss, executive director of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV), issued a statement regarding Monday's decision by the state House of Representatives to indefinitely postpone a vote on House Bill , which seeks to increase protections for victims of domestic violence by amending Pennsylvania's Protection From Abuse Act:
"On behalf of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence and our
62 community-based domestic violence organizations, I am deeply disappointed
that the leadership of the House of Representatives postponed a vote on our
legislation as a result of a campaign of misinformation by gun owner
organizations,” she said. "PCADV has worked tirelessly with legislators and criminal justice organizations to ensure that these amendments not only increase safety for
victims who are trying to end violence in their lives, but also address
concerns raised by the National Rifle Association. In fact, PCADV has been
assured by the NRA that the organization does not oppose this legislation. We
believe House Bill strengthens the rights of those gun owners who have
protection orders against them and who, as a result of those orders, must
relinquish their weapons. The proposed legislation provides a fair process
for the forfeiture and storage of those weapons while the orders are in place.
"There has never been a more pressing need to work together to enhance
safety for victims of domestic violence. Last year in Pennsylvania, 124
women, men and children were murdered in domestic violence crimes. So far
this year, another 53 people have been killed. We know from research that the
most dangerous time for victims of domestic violence is when they try to leave
the relationship. Research also tells us that guns are the weapon most often
used to kill them. How many more of our friends, loved ones and colleagues
must die before legislators put aside politics and do what's right -- enact
these life-saving changes?"
Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell commented, "We have a system in
Pennsylvania that is desperately in need of repair and this legislation takes a step toward doing that. I am asking the House of Representatives to move this legislation as quickly as possible so that Pennsylvania can slow the rate of domestic violence crimes and decrease the likelihood of death or lasting physical harm."
State Representative Melissa Murphy Weber, R-Montgomery County, the prime
sponsor of House Bill , intends to ask House leadership to run the bill before the interim session. "I am very disappointed that my colleagues did not have the opportunity to debate and vote on my PFA bill,” she said. “I believe this legislation has the potential
to save the lives of victims and law enforcement and does not infringe upon
the gun rights of law-abiding people. I am asking House leadership to run the
bill before we break for interim session."
Mary Achilles, a Pennsylvania victim advocate, noted, "I am saddened that House Leadership would delay indefinitely a vote on the Protection From Abuse amendments. We need leadership in Pennsylvania that will vote to ensure the safety of women, men and children. We do not need leadership that will hide when they hear from loud voices of misinformed discontents. The House should follow the lead of the Judiciary Committee and move this legislation immediately to protect battered women."
Kathy Dyabelko, a Lebanon County mother, knows first-hand what the legislation could do for victims. "My daughter Stacy was murdered in . She was a 25-year-old mother and nurse who was killed with the same gun that was previously used against her
during a rape. The perpetrator, her ex-boyfriend, was ordered to surrender
his weapons on more than one occasion and needless to say, this did not
happen. I am not only asking that legislators support this bill but that the
House Leadership allow its members to choose for themselves as to whether it
is detrimental to their re-election campaign if they vote in favor of this
proposed legislation. If Stacy were alive today, legislators would be asking
for her vote. On her behalf, I am asking for theirs. Please don't let her
death be in vain."
For more information, visit PCADV's Web site at http://www.pcadv.org.
Source: Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence
