DPCC Co-Chair Dingell: The Violence Against Women Act Will Save Lives
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), appeared on The Story with Martha MacCallum on FOX News to discuss the Violence Against Women Act. Congresswoman Dingell shared her personal experience with domestic violence as a child and highlighted how this bill will close an important loophole and save lives. The House of Representatives approved legislation renewing the Violence Against Women Act on April 4th. Below are excerpts from the interview. Click here to watch the video
"You know, to me it is very simple. It is not a poison pill as the NRA is going to say but the fact of the matter it's closing a loophole. If there is a gun involved in domestic violence situation, there is a 500% more likely chance somebody will be killed. We are not taking away someone's due process. They have already been convicted. We are closing a loophole. If you can save a life shouldn't you?"
"I know what it's like to live in the home of someone who should not have had a gun. I'm not trying to take people's guns away. I lived with a NRA board member, was in love with him for 40 years. There are people that should have guns and people that shouldn't have guns."
"The night I remember the most is when I kept my parents from killing each other. My father tried to kill all of us. I got my brothers and sisters come out of there and someone said you should get a gun. Well, my mother went out and bought a gun and I remember what it was like to live in that household and that constant fear. What would trigger it? This is just trying to use common sense. No child should have to live in that, but a woman who has been stalked by a beating partner who has turned violent, who has been convicted shouldn't have to live in fear that that that person might kill them."