In Honor of Senator Frank Lautenberg

Senator Lautenberg was a long time champion for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. For over two decades, the senator supported the passage and reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. The Senator achieved many victories for victims, the most notable of which was the legislation he authored that keeps guns out of the hands of convicted abusers, which is now known as the Lautenberg Amendment.

The "Lautenberg Amendment" added the provision that makes it unlawful for "any person...who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" to ship, transport, possess or receive firearms or ammunition in or affecting commerce. Prior to the Lautenberg Amendment, only those convicted of felonies could be prohibited from gun ownership and possession. That left a tragic opportunity for domestic violence offenders to access weapons and use them against their intimate partners. By the end of 2006, the Lautenberg amendment resulted in over 150,000 denials of attempted gun purchases.

We honor the memory of Senator Frank Lautenberg as a great champion of victims' rights and protections.