WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — The U.S. Supreme Court made the decision to uphold a law that makes it a crime for domestic abusers to have guns.
Domestic violence advocates are celebrating the decision as a win and a step in the right direction.
It started in 2019 when Zackey Rahimi attacked his girlfriend and threatened to shoot her if she told anyone.
That led to her getting a restraining order.
That order suspended his handgun license and kept him from possessing a gun.
Rahimi claimed it was unconstitutional to restrict people under domestic violence protective orders.
However, justices ruled 8-to-1 to uphold the law. It is a decision that is welcomed by domestic violence advocacy groups like Safe Place of the Permian Basin in Midland.
"Well, we are very encouraged and excited that that the Supreme Court did uphold their position," said Carol Wayland, executive director of Safe Place of the Permian Basin. "Because it is something that increases the safety to our survivors. The threat of firearms and the trauma that they cause is severe.”
Wayland said the trauma could not just affect the victim but also their children. Which is why she feels this law needs to stay in place.
“So we feel like this is really going to help save lives and create a healthier community for us all,” said Wayland.
Wayland said there’s still more work to be done to better protect victims, but progress is still better than no progress.