TAKE ACTION TOOLKIT

NATIONAL FAITH CALL-IN DAY

ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND GUNS
JWI.ORG/LOOPHOLE
Contents:
Pages 2-4: Sample posts and graphics for social media
Pages 5-9: Sample scripts for calling and emailing Members of Congress

SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDE

Be sure to include: #FaithsAgainstDV
More hashtags you can use: #ProtectAllWomen, #HR3130, #S1520
Sponsor handles: @RepDebDingell, @RepDold, @RepKirkpatrick,
@RepDanDonovan, @AmyKlobuchar, @MazieHirono, @SenatorKirk, @SenatorDurbin
Campaign website: www.jwi.org/loophole
Need help tracking down your representative or senator? Search for your
representative by zip code here and your senator by state here.
Shareable Graphics: Download here or share from Twitter and Facebook.
Sample Facebook Posts and Tweets
Thanking the sponsors:

Thank you, @RepDebDingell @RepDold @RepKirkpatrick @RepDanDonovan

for working to #ProtectAllWomen. #FaithsAgainstDV #HR3130

Thank you, @AmyKlobuchar, @MazieHirono, @SenatorKirk & @SenatorDurbin

for working to #ProtectAllWomen. #FaithsAgainstDV #S1520

Thank you, @RepDold & @RepDebDingell for introducing #HR3130, the Zero
Tolerance for Domestic Abusers Act. #FaithsAgainstDV

Thank you, @AmyKlobuchar & @MazieHirono for introducing #S1520: the

Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act. #FaithsAgainstDV

This bipartisan, commonsense bill will help ensure every woman and child is
protected. We agree, @RepDebDingell! #FaithsAgainstDV

We need to do everything we can to stop domestic violence from turning into

domestic murder." We agree, @RepDold! #FaithsAgainstDV

Calling on our Members on Congress:

[Tag your representative/senator] Join the #bipartisan effort to keep guns out of
the hands of abusers. Cosponsor #HR3130 / #S1520. #FaithsAgainstDV
2

Don't let #domesticviolence escalate into murder. [Tag your

representative/senator], cosponsor #HR3130 / #S1520. #FaithsAgainstDV

[Tag your member of Congress] 82% of Americans agree: abusers & stalkers
shouldn't have guns. Can we count on your support too? #FaithsAgainstDV

82% of Americans support preventing domestic abusers from buying guns. Its
time for Congress to act! #FaithsAgainstDV #HR3130 #S1520

80% of gun owners support preventing domestic abusers from buying firearms.
Pass #HR3130 and #S1520 now! #FaithsAgainstDV

Domestic Violence, Stalking, and Guns:

Its simple: When abusers have guns, women die. We urge Congress to close
dangerous loopholes. #FaithsAgainstDV

From 2001-2012, 6,410 U.S. women were murdered by an intimate partner using
a gun. #DV & guns are a lethal combination! #FaithsAgainstDV

Abused women are five times more likely to be killed if their abuser has access to
a gun. #FaithsAgainstDV #ProtectAllWomen

Guns are used in 55% of murders of American women & DV victims are 5x more
likely to be killed if their abuser has a gun. #FaithsAgainstDV

The presence of a firearm in domestic violence situations increases a woman's

risk of homicide by 500%. Guns & DV don't mix. #FaithsAgainstDV

Is it loaded? Will he pull the trigger? Don't leave her to find out. Guns are used to
intimidate & control DV victims. #FaithsAgainstDV

Guns are the most-used weapon in DV homicides. So why can convicted

abusers & stalkers legally buy guns? #FaithsAgainstDV #ProtectAllWomen

Domestic violence & guns are a lethal combination. Time to close loopholes &
save lives! #FaithsAgainstDV

If he follows or harrasses her, he's not following the law. Stalking is a crime & it's
a risk factor for future violence. #FaithsAgainstDV

More than 75% of women killed by an intimate partner were stalked before their
deaths. #FaithsAgainstDV #ProtectAllWomen

Stalking is a strong risk factor for future violence. Let's keep guns out of the
hands of convicted stalkers. #FaithsAgainstDV

Over 85% of victims know their stalker. Abusers often continue their abuse and
control through stalking. #FaithsAgainstDV

Faith Responses (Feel free to include your own faith-specific language!)

Domestic violence, dating abuse & stalking are extreme violations of the dignity &
humanity of a person. #FaithsAgainstDV #ProtectAllWomen

As people of faith, we believe in the sacred right of every person to live free from
violence. #FaithsAgainstDV #ProtectAllWomen

As people of faith, we seek to make our communities safe for victims and
survivors of abuse and stalking. #FaithsAgainstDV #ProtectAllWomen

Our communities should provide a safe space for victims & survivors to heal.
Violence has no place in our faith traditions. #FaithsAgainstDV

Love your neighbor: Stand up for the safety of victims and survivors. Keep guns
away from convicted abusers. #FaithsAgainstDV #CanIGetAnAmen

Asking Member of Congress to cosponsor:

EMAIL SCRIPTS
House Please Cosponsor Email:
Subject: Please Cosponsor the Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abusers Act
As a constituent and a person of faith, I am writing to urge you to cosponsor H.R. 3130,
the Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abusers Act.
Currently in the United States, one in four women experience physical abuse by an
intimate partner, and the presence of a gun in a violent relationship raises the risk of
homicide for women by five hundred percent. Nearly half of intimate partner homicides
are committed by dating partners. Yet, abusers convicted of misdemeanor domestic
violence against a dating partner or misdemeanor stalking can still legally access
firearms, despite posing a significant risk to the safety of the victim.
As a person of faith, I believe that every person has the right to live free from violence
and abuse. This commonsense and bipartisan legislation would ensure that convicted
abusers and stalkers cannot legally purchase or possess guns. It would save lives and
make our communities safer for victims and survivors of abuse.
I urge you to fight to end gun violence and to act for survivors of domestic violence and
stalking by cosponsoring the Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abusers Act.
Sincerely,
Senate Please Cosponsor Email:
Subject: Please Cosponsor the Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act
As a constituent and a person of faith, I am writing to urge you to cosponsor H.R. 1520,
the Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act.
Currently in the United States, one in four women experience physical abuse by an
intimate partner, and the presence of a gun in a violent relationship raises the risk of
homicide for women by five hundred percent. Nearly half of intimate partner homicides
are committed by dating partners. Yet, abusers convicted of misdemeanor domestic
violence against a dating partner or misdemeanor stalking can still legally access
firearms, despite posing a significant risk to the safety of the victim.
5

As a person of faith, I believe that every person has the right to live free from violence
and abuse. This commonsense and bipartisan legislation would ensure that convicted
abusers and stalkers cannot legally purchase or possess guns. It would save lives and
make our communities safer for victims and survivors of abuse.
I urge you to fight to end gun violence and to act for survivors of domestic violence and
stalking by cosponsoring the Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act.
Sincerely,
PHONE SCRIPTS
House Please Cosponsor Phone
Hello, my name is __________ and I'm calling from __________ (city/town and state).
Im calling today to urge Congressman/Congresswoman [Name] to cosponsor H.R.
3130, the Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abusers Act.

Every person has the right to live free from violence and abuse.
One in four women in the United States experiences severe physical abuse by
an intimate partner. Nearly half of intimate partner homicides are committed by
dating partner.
Current law allows abusers convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence against
a dating partner or misdemeanor stalking to legally access firearms.
Guns in the hands of violent abusers pose a significant risk to the safety of
victims and survivors.
The legislation would ensure that convicted abusers and stalkers cannot legally
purchase or possess guns.
This legislation would save lives and make our communities safer.

Can I count on the Congressman/Congresswoman to act for survivors of abuse and

stalking by cosponsoring the bill?

Senate Please Cosponsor Phone

Hello, my name is __________ and I'm calling from __________ (city/town and state).
Im calling today to urge Senator [Name] to cosponsor S. 1520, the Protecting Domestic
Violence and Stalking Victims Act.
6

Every person has the right to live free from violence and abuse.
One in four women in the United States experiences severe physical abuse by
an intimate partner. Nearly half of intimate partner homicides are committed by
dating partner.
Current law allows abusers convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence against
a dating partner or misdemeanor stalking to legally access firearms.
Guns in the hands of violent abusers pose a significant risk to the safety of
victims and survivors.
The legislation would ensure that convicted abusers and stalkers cannot legally
purchase or possess guns.
This legislation would save lives and make our communities safer.

Can I count on the Senator to act for survivors of abuse and stalking by cosponsoring
the bill?
Thanking Members of Congress who are sponsors:
(See all sponsors at jwi.org/loophole)
EMAIL SCRIPTS
House Thank You Email:
Subject: Thank you for cosponsoring the Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abusers Act
As a constituent and a person of faith, I am writing to thank you for cosponsoring H.R.
3130, the Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abusers Act.
As you know, one in four women in the United States experiences physical abuse by an
intimate partner, and the presence of a gun in a violent relationship raises the risk of
homicide for women by five hundred percent. Nearly half of intimate partner homicides
are committed by dating partners. Yet current law allows stalkers and abusers convicted
of crimes against dating partners to obtain firearms, posing a significant risk to victims.
This legislation would help ensure that all victims are protected from gun violence at the
hands of convicted abusers.
As a person of faith, I believe that everyone has the right to live free from violence and
abuse, and I appreciate your leadership on this crucial issue. I hope that you will
continue to speak to your colleagues and constituents about this vital legislation.

Thank you for your commitment to saving lives and making our communities safer for
victims and survivors of abuse.
Sincerely,
Senate Thank You Email:
Subject: Thank you for cosponsoring the Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking
Victims Act
As a constituent and a person of faith, I am writing to thank you for cosponsoring S.
1520, the Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abusers Act.
As you know, one in four women in the United States experiences severe physical
abuse by an intimate partner, and the presence of a gun in a violent relationship raises
the risk of homicide for women by five hundred percent. Nearly half of intimate partner
homicides are committed by dating partners. Yet current law allows stalkers and
abusers convicted of crimes against dating partners to obtain firearms posing a
significant risk to victims. This legislation would help ensure that all victims are
protected from gun violence at the hands of convicted abusers.
As a person of faith, I believe that everyone has the right to live free from violence and
abuse, and I appreciate your leadership on this crucial issue. I hope that you will
continue to speak to your colleagues and constituents about this vital legislation.
Thank you for your commitment to saving lives and making our communities safer for
victims and survivors of abuse.
Sincerely,

PHONE SCRIPTS
House Thank You Phone:
Hello, my name is __________ and I'm calling from __________ (city/town and state).
House: Im calling today to thank Congressman/Congresswoman [Name] for
cosponsoring H.R. 3130, the Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abusers Act.

Every person has the right to live free from violence and abuse.
8

One in four women in the United States experiences severe physical abuse by
an intimate partner. Nearly half of intimate partner homicides are committed by
dating partner.
Guns in the hands of violent abusers pose a significant risk to the safety of
victims and survivors.
The legislation would ensure that convicted abusers and stalkers cannot legally
purchase or possess guns.
This legislation would save lives and make our communities safer.

I thank the Congressman/Congresswoman for his/her commitment to saving lives and

making our communities safer for victims and survivors of abuse. I hope that the
Congressman/Congresswoman will continue to speak to his/her colleagues and
constituents about this vital legislation.
Senate Thank You Phone:
Hello, my name is __________ and I'm calling from __________ (city/town and state).
Im calling today to thank Senator [Name] for cosponsoring S. 1520, the Protecting
Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act.

Every person has the right to live free from violence and abuse.
One in four women in the United States experiences severe physical abuse by
an intimate partner. Nearly half of intimate partner homicides are committed by
dating partner.
Guns in the hands of violent abusers pose a significant risk to the safety of
victims and survivors.
The legislation would ensure that convicted abusers and stalkers cannot legally
purchase or possess guns.
This legislation would save lives and make our communities safer.

I thank the Senator for his/her commitment to saving lives and making our communities
safer for victims and survivors of abuse. I hope that the Senator will continue to speak
to his/her colleagues and constituents about this vital legislation.