WASHINGTON D.C., DC —
A group of Austin advocates for domestic violence survivors is in Washington, D.C., to support a Supreme Court (SCOTUS) case involving subjects of protective orders.
The case, the United States v. Rahimi, may determine whether people are allowed to keep their firearms if they have an protective order against them.
The 30-year-old law is meant to temporarily restrict firearms possession for abusers. A person who has a protective order against them has to turn in their firearms for the duration of that order, under the current law.
Recently, the Fifth Circuit Court ruled it was unconstitutional. Now the case has reached the SCOTUS.
Members of the Texas Advocacy Project hope the SCOTUS will uphold what they call this life-saving law.
Those in support of the law say it reduces the threat of gun violence during the most dangerous time for abuse survivors, which is when they decide to leave or get help.
The lower court ruled the law violates Second Amendment rights for subjects of a protective order. But Texas Advocacy Project CEO Heather Bellino said the current law isn't taking away that person's right to own a gun.
"Nobody wants to take away somebody's gun. That is not what the intent of this is. We're just saying during the time that you have a protective order against you, you can't possess one because you're probably going to harm somebody you already have," Bellino said.
Members of the Texas Advocacy Project filed an amicus brief, providing data and research in support of upholding the law.
"We really want you to understand how this impacts survivors, the likelihood that death may occur and that we need to protect our citizens," Bellino said.
Oral arguments for the case are set to start at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
The Texas Advocacy Project is a free law firm that provides legal service to domestic abuse and sexual assault survivors. Anyone in need of their services can contact the organization at 800-374-HOPE (4673).