Hungry Seagull
member
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2009
- Messages
- 2,167
Link here.
http://wjz.com/local/abuse.violence.House.2.979165.html
Story copied and pasted here.
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
After years of abuse from her husband, Mary Crawford is still afraid.
Maryland lawmakers move to protect victims of domestic violence. They approved legislation to take guns away from their attackers.
Political reporter Pat Warren talks to a woman who helped make it happen.
Eight years after the man who shot at her is sent to prison Mary Crawford is still afraid.
"Its at the point, where I realized the safety of me and my children is to make sure that I am not where anyone could basically find me at this point," said Mary Crawford, victims advocate.
"The first bullet felt like it went through my hair," said Crawford.
She's been telling her story to urge support of the bills passed Monday night to take guns away from domestic abusers.
"I had some angel looking down on me that day. That's all I can say because if it was not for that, my life would have been taken that day," said Crawford.
Lawmakers heeded the call of Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, touring the House of Ruth Tuesday. His cousin Catherine was shot and killed last year by her estranged boyfriend.
"And it's my hope that the governor and I work with the General Assembly in the years to come and we can find ways to bring more and more support to the House of Ruth and to other non-profit organizations that are fighting this fight," said Lt. Governor Brown.
The bills require that under a final protective order the court will confiscate guns from the abuser, taking guns under a temporary order is up to judicial discretion.
"I think it says an enormous amount that is so, so positive for certainly everyone that you seen here today, as well as women across the state of Maryland who are desperately in need of protection," said Carol Alexander, spokesperson for House of Ruth.
As a back-up to her angel, there's the law.
"My ex had guns and looking back now, on the case them guns would of been taking at that point. Knowing he was not a wealthy man it would have been a lot harder for him to get a hold of a weapon, to do what he did to me," said Crawford.
Ultimately, its enforcement of the law thats key. But lawmakers can agree this is a good place to start. The governor is expected to sign this and other public safety bills in a ceremony in May.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
http://wjz.com/local/abuse.violence.House.2.979165.html
Story copied and pasted here.
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
After years of abuse from her husband, Mary Crawford is still afraid.
Maryland lawmakers move to protect victims of domestic violence. They approved legislation to take guns away from their attackers.
Political reporter Pat Warren talks to a woman who helped make it happen.
Eight years after the man who shot at her is sent to prison Mary Crawford is still afraid.
"Its at the point, where I realized the safety of me and my children is to make sure that I am not where anyone could basically find me at this point," said Mary Crawford, victims advocate.
"The first bullet felt like it went through my hair," said Crawford.
She's been telling her story to urge support of the bills passed Monday night to take guns away from domestic abusers.
"I had some angel looking down on me that day. That's all I can say because if it was not for that, my life would have been taken that day," said Crawford.
Lawmakers heeded the call of Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, touring the House of Ruth Tuesday. His cousin Catherine was shot and killed last year by her estranged boyfriend.
"And it's my hope that the governor and I work with the General Assembly in the years to come and we can find ways to bring more and more support to the House of Ruth and to other non-profit organizations that are fighting this fight," said Lt. Governor Brown.
The bills require that under a final protective order the court will confiscate guns from the abuser, taking guns under a temporary order is up to judicial discretion.
"I think it says an enormous amount that is so, so positive for certainly everyone that you seen here today, as well as women across the state of Maryland who are desperately in need of protection," said Carol Alexander, spokesperson for House of Ruth.
As a back-up to her angel, there's the law.
"My ex had guns and looking back now, on the case them guns would of been taking at that point. Knowing he was not a wealthy man it would have been a lot harder for him to get a hold of a weapon, to do what he did to me," said Crawford.
Ultimately, its enforcement of the law thats key. But lawmakers can agree this is a good place to start. The governor is expected to sign this and other public safety bills in a ceremony in May.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)