Auditor General DePasquale Hails New Law Helping to Protect Victims of Domestic Violence as Example of Bipartisanship
Auditor General DePasquale Hails New Law Helping to Protect Victims of Domestic Violence as Example of Bipartisanship
HARRISBURG (Nov. 15, 2018) – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today praised the bipartisan effort behind a new state law to protect victims of domestic violence by requiring their abusers to turn their firearms over to law enforcement.
“Act 79 of 2018 shows the progress that we can achieve when we work in a bipartisan way to reach common-sense solutions,” DePasquale said. “This new law represents a big step in the right direction and will help to protect victims of domestic violence from further harm.”
The law prevents individuals against whom a final protection from abuse (PFA) order has been issued from possessing firearms. Within one day of a PFA order taking effect, they must turn over their firearms, ammunition and firearms licenses to law enforcement.
“Research shows that abused women are a stunning five times more likely to die at the hands of their abuser if that abuser owns a firearm,” DePasquale added. “It was time for Pennsylvania to join the growing list of states that have recognized this serious issue and acted to protect victims.”
Gov. Tom Wolf signed the bill in mid-October and held a ceremonial signing this week.
Resources for victims of domestic violence are offered by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, found online at www.pcadv.org.
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