Tell your senators to pass H.R. 1620 – the “Violence Against Women Act” for ALL women! Close the “Boyfriend Loophole!”

Quote from Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. Senate, 2014, by Christopher Schmaling, Sheriff, Racine County, Racine, Wisconsin.

One would assume that legislation called the “Violence Against Women Act” included meaningful steps to prevent violence against women…

Apparently, Republicans and the NRA are willing to live with the Lautenberg Amendment, (for now) the 1996 law that removes guns from the abusive husbands or live-in boyfriends of their daughters, sisters and mothers. They are, however, unwilling to expand that protection to women threatened by violent dating partners or stalkers, despite statistics showing that victims of this “Boyfriend Loophole” are dying in equal or greater numbers. And they don’t give a hoot for the lives or opinions of law enforcement officers either. Sheriff Schmaling stated, “Abusers routinely threaten to shoot my deputies prior to our arrival at domestic violence calls….”

One bill – H.R.1906/S.527 – Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act specifically addresses the Boyfriend Loophole. However, the far more comprehensive H.R.1620 – Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act has already passed the House with it’s own loophole-closing language. Unfortunately, due to GOP/NRA opposition, senators have announced a compromise bill (S.3623) that scraps the House version’s Sec. 801 and 802 – proven “HOMICIDE REDUCTION” stategies against abusive boyfriends and stalkers.

This deal hasn’t passed either the House or the Senate yet. Currently, nine Senate Republicans back this compromise, though lawmakers will need one more for the bill to pass. Democrats say they’ll continue looking for a 10th Republican senator to support the deal, which won’t be able to pass the upper chamber until they find one.

Call your senators and be sure your friends and family in RED states call theirs.
All those threatened by gun violence by stalkers and violent partners of any kind, and the law enforcement officers often placed between them, should have equal access to the protection afforded to those covered by the original Lautenberg Amendment.

Minimal Script for DEM senators: I’m calling from [zip code] to ask Sen. [___] to strongly support H.R. 1620 – The “Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act” with its language closing the “Boyfriend Loophole”! Why would the senator deny women facing violent boyfriends and predatory stalkers equal access to the protections of the federal law against domestic violence. Why would you ignore the please of law enforcement officials whose officers have died protecting them? Do better for us!

Continue reading →

Thurs 10/24: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and domestic violence is a gun violence issue.

Action: This is a good day to remind your legislators that we know exactly which group is holding up H.R.8. – Universal background checks.

H.R. 8 – “To require a background check for every firearm sale.” was passed by the House on Feb. 27, 2019, and was cosponsored by these legislators. (Brownley and Carbajal are both cosigners). Eight months later, it still hasn’t seen the inside of the Senate. Meanwhile, NRA friend, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) has just launched his misdirected RESPONSE Act, which concentrates on mental health, despite minimal evidence that it’s tied to mass shootings, along with more shooter drills, increased surveillance of students and expedited executions of mass shooters. Nearly 1,700 children and teens die by gun homicide every year and that’s the best they can do. In comparison, vaping has killed a total of 33 people, yet our president is already planning to ban e-cigarette flavors that appeal to children.

The president is creating a myth that the House has done nothing but concentrate on impeaching him. Tell your senators that we are not fooled. Continue reading “Thurs 10/24: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and domestic violence is a gun violence issue.” →

TODAY – Third Thursdays – Our first (on March 21st) is a letter-writing party on Background Checks and more!

Get ready! THIS IS TODAY!

We miss our postcard crew! Let’s meet at Santino’s for pizza, camaraderie, and social justice – every Third Thursday.

Up first, on March 21, we’ll focus on a letter-writing campaign imploring our Senators to do the right thing and to vote YES on the universal background checks bill S. 42.

Where: Santino’s Pizza. It’s at 4231 Telegraph Rd., Ventura, 93003
When: March 21st, 11:30am – 1:30pm.
RSVP: None. Just come – you provide your own stationary and envelope (bring an extra for a new friend!), we provide the pizza!
Questions? Email indivisibleventura@gmail.org

Continue reading “TODAY – Third Thursdays – Our first (on March 21st) is a letter-writing party on Background Checks and more!” →

Third Thursdays – Our first (on March 21st) is a letter-writing party on Background Checks!

Get ready! THIS IS TOMORROW!

We miss our postcard crew! Let’s meet at Santino’s for pizza, camaraderie, and social justice – every Third Thursday.

Up first, on March 21, we’ll focus on a letter-writing campaign imploring our Senators to do the right thing and to vote YES on the universal background checks bill S. 42.

Continue reading “Third Thursdays – Our first (on March 21st) is a letter-writing party on Background Checks!” →

March For Our Lives – Ventura! – Part 2

Besides information, great speechs and marching (See Part 1), there was a lot of information being shared at the park. For those who weren’t able to attend, or didn’t have a chance to see it, we’ve attached it below.

California – New gun laws for 2018. (Sacbee)
California gun laws (Giffords)

Parents (and grandparents) Promise to Kids

The goal of Parents Promise to Kids (PPTK) is to get parents to vote for candidates who believe that the safety of our children is much more important than the right to own guns. We urge parents, grandparents and other concerned adults to sign a contract, found below and then post it on social media with the included instructions. The contract is a promise to kids that they will never leave their homes in fear of being attacked by people with assault weapons.

Parents’ contract
Grandparents’ contract
Concerned adult’s contract

The Parkland student’s presription for gun safety

(From thetrace.org) Continue reading “March For Our Lives – Ventura! – Part 2” →

March For Our Lives – Ventura! – Part 1

It was an amazing day yesterday, completely organized by four Ventura High School students. See this VC Star article for more videos and pics, as well as our Facebook page, and this link to great photos from Ray Smith of Indivisible Ojai Valley.

Our local congresswoman, Julia Brownley, made some great speeches. (Thanks to Paul Taylor for this great video!)

Meanwhile, in Washington D.C., students and future leaders from our own Ventura County Youth Collective took a moment from the MFOL events there to gather in front of this inspirational portrait. They toured the Capitol with staff from Congresswoman Julia Brownley’s office, visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture and will be meeting with our legislators. Follow their adventures on Facebook and Twitter. Continue reading “March For Our Lives – Ventura! – Part 1” →

Ventura’s high school students are amazing! Come join in their March on 3/24!

This Saturday, you have an opportunity to join our local students in their action to end gun violence.

Come to their March!

Four Ventura High School students started this March and have been working hard on planning it for over a month! They’ve been joined by students from other schools to make this an really great event.

This is no simple sidewalk rally…

They’ve worked out a budget, gotten funding, taken out permits with the city and arranged for audio equipment, food trucks and stage rentals. They’ve organized speakers (including our Congresswoman Julia Brownley!) media presence and anti-gun violence and voter registration booths, all while being full-time high school students.

What were we doing in high school? These students are amazing!

Here’s the link to their event.

Basic Info: Saturday, March 24th, 10:00 am at Plaza Park. (Red pointers show public parking lots. There is also street parking in the area. Carpool with friends!)

Continue reading “Ventura’s high school students are amazing! Come join in their March on 3/24!” →