This week’s tragic shooting incident at North Park Elementary School in San Bernardino, California, resulted in the loss of three lives, including that of an 8-year-old student. The perpetrator, who had a prior criminal record, took the life of his estranged wife, Jessica Morgan, who was teaching at the school. He also fatally shot one of her students and injured another child before turning the gun on himself. My heart aches for the families affected by this senseless act of violence.
This incident underscores the devastating connection between domestic abuse and gun violence. From my own experience, I understand the harrowing reality of living with an abuser who has access to firearms. Eight years ago, I sought refuge in a women’s shelter after my husband’s violence escalated. I obtained a protective order in the hopes of safeguarding my young daughter and myself, but my efforts were met with further danger.
Despite involving law enforcement, the protective order failed to prevent my ex-husband from breaking into our home and assaulting me. He was arrested but released shortly after, thanks to a bond paid by his family. A few days later, I returned home from grocery shopping only to find him waiting in the dark, armed with a shotgun. I narrowly escaped with my life, but the trauma remains.
Even after surviving that harrowing experience, the family court system continued to fail me. Now, as my daughter turns 11, I find myself co-parenting with my abuser. I relocated 900 miles away while he was incarcerated to create physical distance and protect my family. Unfortunately, he served only 15 months for his crimes and was paroled just four months after his sentencing.
As a survivor of domestic violence, I believe it is crucial to address the intertwined issues of domestic abuse and gun violence. Research shows that a significant number of mass shootings are linked to domestic violence, with children accounting for more than 40% of the fatalities in these incidents. Domestic violence offenders are among the most predictable and preventable sources of gun violence, and it is imperative that we take action to keep firearms out of their reach.
Survivors of domestic abuse often face a system that allows violent individuals multiple opportunities to continue their behavior. Jessica Morgan, the teacher who lost her life in San Bernardino, deserved to live without fear of her estranged husband harming her or her students. We must educate men about the importance of non-violence and treat domestic and gun violence as a public health crisis.
Since my own ordeal, I have collaborated with organizations like Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety to share my story and raise awareness of the lethal connection between gun violence and domestic abuse. In this journey, I have met countless volunteers who are advocating for legislative changes to prevent dangerous individuals from accessing firearms. There’s a long way to go, and we need more individuals to join us in our mission to free our communities from gun violence and domestic abuse.
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In summary, the connection between gun violence and domestic abuse is a pressing issue that demands our attention. Survivors like me must advocate for systemic change to protect families and communities from this ongoing threat.