For Immediate Release

April 27, 2009

News Release: Lancman's "Domestic Violence Escalation Prevention Act" Passes
New York State Assembly

Assemblyman Rory I. Lancman's Domestic Violence Escalation Prevention Act
(A.7575 ) passed the New York State Assembly,
putting the bill on its way to becoming a law. Assemblyman Lancman's
legislation would add domestic violence crimes to the list of offenses that
would disqualify someone from purchasing or possessing a firearm in New York
State.

"Domestic violence offenders have no business purchasing or possessing a
firearm, which they could use to further terrorize their families.
Statistics show that over one-third of all women homicide victims are killed
with a gun by their male partners," said Assemblyman Lancman.

"[I]ncluding domestic violence as a serious offense would send a clear
message that domestic violence abusers are not responsible gun owners. This
legislation will also protect families and children who are often similarly
threatened by guns in domestic violence situations," said Jackie Hilly,
Executive Director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence in a memo in support
of Assemblyman Lancman's legislation.

"Domestic violence assaults involving a firearm are 3 times more likely to
result in death than incidents involving knives or other cutting
instruments, and 23 times more likely to result in death than those
involving other weapons or bodily force. Furthermore, abused women are 5
times more likely to be killed by their abuser if the abuser owns a firearm.
By prohibiting domestic violence perpetrators from possessing firearms, A
7575 will protect women, children and families and limit the number of
deadly domestic violence incidents due to the presence of a gun," said Sam
Hoover in a statement written on behalf of the Legal Community Against
Violence, a public interest law center dedicated to preventing gun violence.

More information on the Domestic Violence Escalation Prevention Act is
available at: www.nyad25.org/dvepa.htm

Brian Pugh

Communications Director

Office of Assemblyman Rory I. Lancman

77-40 170th Street

Fresh Meadows, NY 11366

Office: 718-820-0241

Cell: 718-704-9585

Fax: 718-820-0414

brian@nyad25.org

www.nyad25.org