(TRENTON) – Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera (D-Camden/Gloucester) issued the following statement on Wednesday following an informative roundtable discussion with former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg and other women leaders from around the state on the need for laws that protect women and families from gun violence:
“I would like to thank former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords for taking the time to come and meet with us today. This issue has no borders. It is pervasive and demands action not only from women, but men who understand that domestic and gun violence are intertwined and often deadly.
“No one should be inherently at risk because of their gender, but that is sadly the case for many women in this country. Abused women are five times more likely to be killed by their abuser if the abuser has access to a firearm, and more than half of all murders of women in this county are committed with a gun. My mother managed to escape her abuser, but not all victims of domestic abuse are so lucky. Add guns to an already volatile situation and the odds are rarely in the victim’s favor.
“That is why I sponsored legislation (A-4218) to keep guns away from domestic abusers. There is no reason why a person who has shown violent tendencies should be allowed to own a gun. This is not a gun rights issue. This is about keeping guns away from individuals who have shown a propensity for violence against women. Surely we can agree that saving a life is more important. Today’s discussion was heartening, but it is not the end of our fight. I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make the world a little safer for our mothers, aunts and daughters.”