Action Alert: Don't Let Guns into the Hands of Abusers

From NOW-NYC:

Don't Let Guns into the Hands of Abusers  
Anti-Violence Bill A.698B/S.4244A

Guns are the #1 weapon used in DV murders. It's already federal law that domestic abusers cannot buy guns, but some abusers in NYS are falling through the cracks. We need to fix our state's reporting requirements to the FBI to make sure guns are kept out of the hands ofall convicted batterers. Your Assemblymember needs to hear from you!

This act will align our state's reporting with the FBI, so that the federal law keeping guns out of the hands of abusers can be enforced. Convicted domestic violence abusers attempting to buy a gun will be flagged in the required background check and their application will be denied. Read more. 

Call Today!  

This bill's fate will be decided within the next few days.
Call: Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (518) 455-3791

Codes Committee Chair/Assemblyman Joseph Lentol (518) 455-4477
Do you have 5 extra minutes? Then also call your Assemblymemberand push for him/her to pass this critical bill.

What you can say:   Hi, I'm [name] from [neighborhood & borough]. I'd like to urge you to support the passage of Assembly bill 698, which will prevent convicted batterers from buying guns. Please pass this bill - which could literally save lives.

If you have more time to devote to this issue and want to get involved with our phone lobbying, please call (212) 627-9895. 

FREE training on how to reduce & prevent domestic violence

Two different opportunities: Saturday 5/21 & Tuesday 5/31.  We will provide lunch.

In less than 2 months, there were 12 domestic-violence-related murders in NYC.  Help bring the number down to zero.

Project Speak Out is a new initiative in which four Asian-American domestic-violence agencies in NYC (New York Asian Women’s Center, Sakhi for South Asian Women, Korean American Family Service Center, and Garden of Hope) are working on a unique project to reduce and PREVENT domestic violence in NY’s Asian-American communities.  http://nynp.biz/breaking-news/5707-project-speak-out-creates-pan-asian-voice-against-domestic-violence-

Instead of organizations going into communities to talk about domestic violence, volunteers themselves will interact with their fellow neighbors, friends, and families to change individual & community attitudes & behaviors toward domestic violence.  As Project Speak Out volunteers, these community members, who might speak the language or share the culture of their audience, will make sure that three core messages are passed on:
1.    Domestic violence DOES EXIST in our communities
2.    Women are not to be blamed for the violence perpetrated against them
3.    YOU as an individual/group CAN TAKE ACTION! (and suggest ways to take that action)

We will train you on what domestic violence is and how to engage and mobilize individuals and groups in communities to take action!

We will go over the following topics during the training:
•    Bringing in the Bystander: A Prevention Workshop for Establishing a Community of Responsibility
•    Domestic violence
•    Asian-Americans and domestic violence
•    Project Speak Out
•    Outreach and Activities: Role of Volunteer, Resources

You do NOT need to speak an Asian language to volunteer

**Please note: quite a few of the New York Asian Women’s Center employees started as volunteers.

Contact: Project Speak Out Manager, Tel: (212) 732-0054 ext 163, Email: projectspeakout@nyawc.org

Facebook Page: ProjectSpeakOut        
Twitter: @ProjectSpeakOut  
Blog: projectspeakout.blogspot.com