We are saddened by the tragic events in Burnsville, Minnesota that occurred on February 18, 2024.
BWJP is a national organization, and our headquarters are a short distance away in St. Paul. The surrounding circumstances are still developing, but it’s clear this is another example of the risk of gun violence in the context of domestic violence. The presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation makes it five times more likely that the abuse will become lethal for the victim. This risk ripples beyond intimate partner victims…to family members, community members, and first responders. In 2022, Violence Free Minnesota reported that at least 20 women lost their lives due to intimate partner violence. Additionally, at least one man fell victim to such violence, along with at least three bystanders or intervenors.
Effective policies to disarm abusers are critical to preventing tragedies like Burnsville.
Our hearts are with those affected, especially the families of the first responders killed. To learn more about the dangerous intersection of domestic violence and firearms and the tools available to prevent firearm-facilitated domestic violence deaths, visit www.bwjplivestg.wpenginepowered.com and www.preventdvgunviolence.org.
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