In an average year, over 10,300 hate crimes in the United States involve a firearm — more than 28 each day. Reports indicate that hate crimes are on the rise but in most of the US, some people convicted of hate crimes can still legally buy or possess guns. It is more important than ever that states and the federal government pass laws ensuring that anyone who has committed a hate crime cannot arm their hate with a gun. – Disarm Hate
Hate crimes have a devastating impact on individual victims, and the reverberating effects are experienced by entire groups and communities. For individuals struggling against bias, news of a violent hate crime targeting members of a shared identity group can feel like a personal attack. Following the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue last Fall many in the Sikh American Community experienced higher levels of emotional distress and stated they would be less likely to attend safe spaces like Gurduwara’s. When safe spaces no longer feel safe, entire communities suffer.
SALDEF supports the passage of the Disarm Hate Act, [H.R. 2708/S. 1462] that will prohibit the sale of firearms to an individual convicted of a hate crime. These import bills will help to keep the community safe and disarm those that have shown a tendency towards bias.
Passage of the Disarm Hate Act [H.R. 2708/S. 1462] can close this dangerous gap. This bill would amend federal law to prohibit firearm sale or transfer to and receipt or possession by any individual who was convicted of violent or threatening misdemeanor crimes committed against someone based on their perceived or actual race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.
States should pass laws to prohibit people convicted of hate crimes from buying or having a gun and should take additional steps to keep guns out of the hands of all people convicted of violent crimes. At a minimum, these laws should prohibit anyone convicted of a violent hate crime, like assault or battery, from having guns. States should also protect public safety by ensuring that all people convicted of recent violent misdemeanor crimes are prohibited from having guns. A recent study found that violent misdemeanor laws were associated with a nearly 27 percent reduction in firearm homicide rates.