Reform Jewish Movement Commends Supreme Court Decision Restricting Guns from Domestic Abusers

June 21, 2024 - In response to the Supreme Court decision in United States v. Rahimi upholding the prohibition on firearm possession for individuals subject to domestic violence restraining orders, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, and Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch, Chief Executive Officer of Women of Reform Judaism, released the following joint statement:

Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner shared:

"We applaud today's Supreme Court ruling in United States v. Rahimi preventing people subject to domestic violence restraining orders from possessing firearms. This decision is not only commonsense-it is a step toward the legal and moral imperative to preserve life, and it aligns with the arguments advanced in the amicus brief we joined to the Court. We are also cautiously assured by the Court clarifying its 2022 decision in Bruen, potentially clearing a path to safeguarding sensible laws that prioritize the safety of people and communities."

Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch continued:

"As Reform Jews, we are committed to commonsense gun violence prevention laws. The Talmud teaches that to take one life destroys a universe, and to save one life saves a universe (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5). Efforts to address the intersection of gun violence and domestic violence reflect the moral obligation established in Leviticus (19:16) that we 'not stand idly by.' Today's Supreme Court decision will save countless innocent lives.

"Even as we welcome today's decision, there is still work to be done. Gun violence and domestic violence are lethally connected, and dangerous gaps persist in protections for survivors and future victims. Despite progress made through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act signed into law by President Biden in 2022, loopholes in federal law still allow some abusive partners to obtain firearms despite a history of domestic violence, threatening the safety of survivors and future victims. We must continue efforts to protect survivors in all dating relationships."

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The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism is the Washington office of the Union for Reform Judaism, whose 825 congregations across North America encompass 1.8 million Reform Jews, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, whose membership includes more than 2,000 Reform rabbis. Visit RAC.org for more.

Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) is a network of Jewish women working together to empower women and communities worldwide through the bonds of sisterhood, spirituality, and social justice. WRJ, founded in 1913, is the women's affiliate of the Union for Reform Judaism. Visit WRJ.org for more.