Domestic abusers & firearms: Average of 760 killed annually; 80% of them women



MILWAUKEE -- Wisconsin is one of more than a dozen states with laws aimed at keeping guns away from domestic abusers.

It is a rare area of political agreement in a normally divided gun control debate.

The Associated Press reviewed the numbers. Between 2006 and 2014, an average of 760 Americans were killed annually with guns by romantic partners.

The numbers come from the FBI's latest crime report, which doesn't include children or bystanders killed.

More than 80% of those killed were women.

It is a much an issue in Wisconsin as it is across the country.

"You know, on average, we've had from year-to-year, anywhere from 15 to 24 homicides, domestic violence related homicides. I would say from year-to-year, we go a little up or a little down. We know absolutely, that a gun in the hands of that abuser makes them much more dangerous, so we need to all be very concerned about access to firearms. When abusers have access to firearms, victims are not safe," Carmen Pitre, executive director of the Sojourner Family Peace Center said.

Governor Scott Walker signed a law in 2014 requiring those with domestic abuse restraining orders to turn over their guns within 48 hours.

LINKS: Helpful resources for those affected by domestic violence

Sojourner Family Peace Center 24-hour domestic violence hotline: 414-933-2722

Milwaukee Women's Center hotline numbers: 
24-Hour Crisis Line:  (414) 671-6140
Domestic Violence Hotline:  (414) 933-2722
National Domestic Violence Hotline:  (800) 799-SAFE

Emergency shelter for domestic violence victims:
Milwaukee Women’s Center’s Shelter:  (414) 671-6140
Sojourner Family Peace Center   (414) 933-2722
Waukesha Women’s Center   (262) 542-3828

Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence

End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin