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 – Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) sent a letter to Michigan Governor Rick Snyder urging him to veto SB 789, a bill approved by the Michigan state legislature that would allow concealed-weapons permits to be issued to individuals with a history of violence and abuse. Dingell has recently become more outspoken on issues related to domestic violence.

“As someone who lived as a child in an environment that could erupt violently at any point, I recognize provisions in this legislation as a serious threat to protecting Michigan women, children and communities, and quite frankly even men,” wrote Dingell.

“Emotions in volatile and mentally unstable situations are unpredictable and far too often have disastrous outcomes. I will not forget the nights of shouting.  The fear.  The dread that my brother, my sisters and my parents would die. I will not forget locking ourselves in closets or hiding places hoping we wouldn't be found. Calling for help, but finding no one willing to help, to acknowledge the problem, or intervene.

“Signing legislation that would allow firearms in the hands of domestic abusers is a formula for disaster that would endanger too many people in our communities. We must demonstrate zero tolerance for bullying or abuse; respect and implement processes that protect individual liberties, but use common sense to eliminate potential violence." 

The letter can be read in full below.

The Honorable Rick Snyder

Governor of Michigan

PO Box 30013

Lansing, MI

Dear Governor Snyder:

There are few subjects that bring out real, raw and emotional feelings more than the right to bear arms. In recent years, I have found more of a voice to speak on this issue.  My voice is shaped as someone who spent her childhood in raw terror she might die at any time when a family member lost his temper, but also as someone living with a man who symbolizes why there is the basic freedom to own a gun in this country.

I have come to recognize over the years that my childhood fear was not a basis or a foundation for responsible gun owners, but I have a firm conviction that we need to keep guns out of the hands of those with mental illness or history of violence. I have also come to understand that doing this is full of difficult details and challenges.

Regardless of the challenges, I do know one thing – someone who has demonstrated they are capable of domestic abuse or who has terrorized or threatened a woman or child, should not in any way, shape or form have access to guns, yet alone be allowed to carry them as a concealed weapon.

The state legislature recently passed legislation SB 789, which would allow the state to issue gun permits to domestic abusers. As someone who lived for years in an environment that could erupt violently at any point, I recognize provisions in this legislation as a serious threat to protecting Michigan women, children and communities, and quite frankly even men.

Emotions in volatile and mentally unstable situations are unpredictable and far too often have disastrous outcomes. I will not forget the nights of shouting.  The fear.  The dread that my brother, my sisters and my parents would die. I will not forget locking ourselves in closets or hiding places hoping we wouldn't be found. Calling for help, but finding no one willing to help, to acknowledge the problem, or intervene.

Unfortunately, the experiences I had are still all too common in Michigan. From 2003 to 2012, Michigan saw 341 domestic violence homicides and over half those deaths were a result of gun violence. From 2002 to 2011, over 10,000 people in Michigan were killed with a gun – that is almost twice the number of combat deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan combined.

Every child deserves to feel safe. Every woman deserves to be able to live in and work in a community without the panic she may be stalked or hurt.  And no one should have to live with a constant fear of guns and violence. To this very day, I can feel that panic and anxiety, and I would do anything to shield others from it.

Signing legislation that would allow firearms in the hands of domestic abusers is a formula for disaster and endangering too many people in our communities. We must demonstrate zero tolerance for bullying or abuse; respect and implement processes that protect individual liberties, but use common sense to eliminate potential violence. 

I encourage you to veto SB 789 so we can prevent some in our communities from living with the fear and nightmares I still have today.  I look forward to working with you to continue to address domestic violence.

Sincerely,

Debbie Dingell                       

Member of Congress