To the Editor:

I write in support of Pat Strong for New York State Senator, District 46. Among other progressive measures, Ms. Strong is committed to protecting victims of domestic or intimate-partner violence through common-sense legislation that her opponent, George Amedore, has opposed

Last year, Mr. Amedore voted against a proposed law that would have protected these victims by forcing their convicted abusers to surrender their firearms. Pat Strong is a leader committed to holding those convicted of domestic violence accountable and minimizing the risk that they will cause even greater harm in the future.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have repeatedly noted that intimate-partner/domestic violence is a significant public-health issue for all Americans. Studies show that one in six murder victims is killed by an intimate partner and nearly half of all female victims of homicide in the United States are killed by an intimate partner.

Many states, including New York, are seeing an increase in intimate-partner/domestic violence and the presence of a gun in these abusive relationships overwhelmingly increases the risk of homicide. And, it has been shown that the majority of mass shootings in this country are committed by individuals who have had a history of committing intimate-partner/domestic violence.

Please join me in supporting Pat Strong for New York Senator, 46th District. She is a strong voice for protecting victims of domestic violence through common-sense legislation and is committed to keeping our families safe.

Jaya Connors

Altamont

Editor’s note: Jaya Connors is the director of the Family Violence Litigation Clinic at Albany Law School.