‘A matter of life and death’
CT Dems face ‘boyfriend’ obstacle in push to block guns for domestic abusers
WASHINGTON — Early one morning in 2014, an Oxford man shot and killed his estranged wife at her parent’s home, a day before he was scheduled to appear in court.
Lori Jackson, 32, had a temporary restraining order against her husband, Scott Gellatly, that didn’t stop Gellatly from being able to buy the gun he killed her with. Federal law only blocks people subject to permanent restraining orders from buying weapons.
Connecticut Democrats Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy and Rep. Jim Himes have been pushing for years for Congress to change this law and close what they say is a loophole that endangers victims of domestic violence.
On Tuesday, they reintroduced the Lori Jackson Domestic Violence Survivor Act, which would prevent people under a temporary restraining order from purchasing or possessing a gun and broadens the definition of a domestic violence victim to include people in dating relationships. The legislation could get a vote in the Democratic-led U.S. House of Representatives
as soon as Wednesday as part of the re-authorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
But closing the so-called “boyfriend loophole” is also one of the major sticking points that has thwarted the re-authorization of VAWA since it expired in February 2019. Its inclusion in VAWA could hinder the bill’s passage in the Senate — proving a hurdle to reauthorizing legislation that contains key funding and policies for protecting domestic violence survivors and other women. Without VAWA passage, future federal funding for domestic violence shelters and other measures is uncertain.
The National Rifle Association has previously opposed the “boyfriend loophole” provision claiming it is too broad and would unfairly strip some people of their guns.
“Speaker Pelosi and anti-gun lawmakers chose to insert gun control provisions into this bill in 2019 to pit pro-gun lawmakers against it so that they can falsely and maliciously claim these lawmakers don’t care about women,” said Jason Ouimet, executive director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action. “This is Washington at its filthiest.”
Connecticut Democrats say the provision is critical to protecting domestic violence victims when they are most at risk.
“At a time when the rage is greatest and the danger is highest, after an intimate partner has said she is leaving or it is over, the abuser can still buy a gun, even with a temporary protective order,” Blumenthal said. “Closing this loophole is truly a matter of life and death.”
Democrat and Republican senators have been trying to negotiate a compromise deal to revive VAWA but talks stalled in September 2019. It’s not clear that the House version of the bill that may pass Wednesday can clear the Senate, where it will need 10 Republican votes to reach President Joe Biden’s desk.
“Certainly we ran into hiccups with some of the gun issues and that’s a big one for a number of us — stripping away people’s constitutional rights is not something that we should be doing,” said Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, who is working on VAWA negotiations on behalf of Republicans and is a survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault. “Hopefully, by combining forces we can come up with the 60 votes needed and pass a good, modernized bill that will work for the Senate hopefully than the House bill does.”
Blumenthal is part of the a group of senators working with
Judiciary Chair Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., on a Senate deal, a position he hopes will help him keep the Lori Jackson provision in. There’s bipartisan interest in a deal, but some division over changes each party seeks.
The Violence Against Women Act is a 1994 law that supports investigation and prosecution of domestic and sexual violence crimes against women. At the time, the law was championed by then-senator Biden. It’s been updated and reauthorized three times with bipartisan support to add new programs to protect the elderly, prevent rape and protect victims of trafficking.
“When I got to Congress a decade ago, VAWA was one of the least political, least partisan pieces of legislation we would consider,” Murphy said. “It is now become politicized because Republicans are not as interested as Democrats in protecting women from gun violence and also protecting immigrants and migrants from domestic violence.”
Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, another senator working on the legislation, said Tuesday it’s “critically important” to pass VAWA and she discussed the matter with Biden recently.
“Last year, things got derailed with VAWA because of gun control,” she said. “I really hope that the effort will be to, to try to find the level of support.”
One in four women and one in nine men experience severe physical or sexual violence or stalking by their intimate partner — like a
boyfriend, partner or husband — in their lifetime, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
“According to the Connecticut Domestic Violence Fatality Review Task Force between 2000 and 2018, 478 people were killed by an intimate partner in Connecticut,” Liza Andrews, director of Public Policy and Communications at the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, said. “Eightysix percent of those killed were women, and one-third were current or former dating partners. Firearms remain the single most common weapon in those homicides.”
State laws bar people subject to a restraining order from possessing guns, and respondents must surrender them within 24 hours. Gellatly bought his gun legally in Virginia, Merry Jackson, the mother of Lori Jackson, said.
“Lori was with us for five weeks after she left her estranged husband. In all that time, we felt threatened,” said Merry Jackson, who was also shot and injured by Gellatly. “We’d love to see an end to this, and we could save another family from facing the tragedy that we faced.”
During the pandemic, domestic violence has worsened as victims and their abusers have often been stuck at home together, more isolated from help than normal and dealing with heightened financial, health and emotional stressers.
Marlin Ray Zimmerman, 91, of Lancaster, PA, passed away on Friday, March 12, 2021, at his home. He was born, February 20, 1930 in Stonington, PA, to the late Nelson R. and Mildred H. (Wilhour) Zimmerman.
He worked as Director of Quality Assurance at Schick Electric in Lancaster, PA and at Clairol, Inc. as Director of Quality Assurance, Appliance Division in Stamford, CT.
Marlin served in the U.S. Navy (Submarine Division) during the Korean War. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, in Landisville, PA, a member of Meadia Heights Golf Club, and the Lancaster Corvette Club. Marlin enjoyed RVing, traveling around the world, golfing, and music.
Marlin was predeceased by his first wife of 35 years, Joyce G. Zimmerman, and is survived by his current wife of 29 years, Mary (Glick) Zimmerman; his sons, Randy Zimmerman (Kay) and Rob Zimmerman (Melanie); two granddaughters, Sahara Wilson and Brianna Zimmerman; one great-granddaughter, A’lariyah Royal; stepchildren: Sean Kripal (Stephine), Barbara (Kripal) Williams (David), Matthew Kripal; and four stepgrandchildren, Alison, Jack, Matthew, and Bailey. Preceding him in death were two sisters, Miriam Espenshade and Ruby Gable.
Friends are invited to a public viewing at Zion Lutheran Church, 85 Brandt Blvd., Landisville, PA, 17538, on Saturday, March 20, 2021, from 9-10 a.m. The funeral service will be private (by invitation only) directly after from 10-11 a.m.; however, you may watch the live stream at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/10396184
Burial will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 20, 2021, at Northumberland Memorial Park at 2956 PA-61, Sunbury, PA 17801. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his name to Caring Hospice, 101 Good Drive, Lancaster, PA 17603. Please visit Marlin’s Memorial Page at www. TheGroffs.com to leave a condolence or to watch the taped version after the service.
Person-to-Person (P2P) would like to thank the community for supporting the record levels of assistance it has provided since the start of the pandemic. In 2020, P2P’s emergency assistance programs provided groceries to prepare 1.9 million home-cooked meals, more than $850,000 in financial support and holiday programs to support families and individuals struggling to make ends meet. More than 2,000 winter coats were distributed in partnership with Beiersdorf’s Keep Norwalk Warm event, more than double last year’s distribution. And rather than cancel its annual Toy Store, P2P created a winter wonderland drive-through distribution so 2,000 children could receive board games, books, stuffed animals and gift cards for toys.
We would like to acknowledge the many businesses, groups and individuals that hosted donation drives, raised funds or volunteered to make these holiday events successful. Thank you to Beiersdorf and Denise Zenevitch for longstanding sponsorship of Keep Norwalk Warm, and Darlene Young, Neil Rennie, the City of Norwalk and Kristin Calve for support. The Velaj Foundation, BNY Mellon, Tudor Investment Corporation & Employees and Eric and Wendy Blattman were instrumental in making Toy Store happen, as were Gordon & Laura Devens, Wendy and Dan Moore and their families. Stepping Stones Museum for Children gave us new puzzles and Flexo Converters donated gift bags, which were decorated by our friends at Star, Inc., Girl Scout Troops 50469 and 50378, The King School, New Canaan Country School, and the REACH students at St. Jerome Church.
Thank you to the creative and committed Toy Store steering committee members: Lisa Koorbusch, Katie Carr, Amy Gold, Nicole Intile, Katie McCormick, Becky Palmer, Martha Parizot, and Vicky Pulido-Castellanos, Jeremy Leone, Megan McGrath, Judy Marzen, with help from Allyson Magda, Laura Devens and Rick Buellesbach and countless volunteers who donated their time to bring joy to 2,000 children.
Dozens of local businesses and community groups supported P2P’s holiday programs and include Chelsea Piers, Church of Holy Spirit, Dance on the DL, Darien Boy Scout Troop 53, Darien HS Blue Wave Football, Darien Butcher Shop, Darien Rotary, First United Methodist Church of Stamford, Fox’s of Stamford, Fox Run Elementary School and Lynn Sadlon, Employees from Grant Thornton Stamford, HAVYN, Hollow Tree Storage, Kids Helping Kids, Kimberly Tapscott Realty Group/Keller Williams, The King School, Lanphier Day Spa, Macy’s Stamford, Make-Modern, Neilsen’s Florist and Garden Shop, NCL New Canaan, Canaan Parish NCL, NCL Westport, Nick Rongoe/CBRE, Norwalk Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, OPUS for Person to Person, Palmer’s Market, Ranger Ready Repellant, state Rep. Lucy Dathan, Ring’s End Lumber, Rowayton Gardener’s Club, Sacred Heart University Community Outreach, St. Clement’s Church, St. Jerome Church, St. Mark’s Preschool New Canaan, state Sen. Bob Duff, Sipstirs, SLOBS New Canaan, SLOBS Westport, The Bar Method Darien and Warby Parker@SoNo Collection.
More than 100 individual volunteers gave their time to P2P’s holiday programs — far too many to name here. We are thankful to each and everyone one of them! P2P is grateful to operate within the Stamford/Norwalk community and thanks everyone who has supported us as we continue to offer record levels of healthy food, casework services, financial and material support to those affected by the pandemic.
After the police killing of George Floyd, a Connecticut law professor invited architects, planners and land use attorneys to a discussion of how local zoning worsens the state’s racial inequities.
Over 200 people logged onto her impromptu Zoom meeting.
Months later, that group has grown into a coalition of more than 60 organizations called Desegregate Connecticut. It has compiled a package of zoning changes for lawmakers to consider in a legislative session marked by debate over how to bring more equity to a state with some of the highest levels of income inequality.
“People can see with their own eyes that segregation exists in Connecticut and oftentimes they don’t know why. And zoning is one of the reasons why,“said Sara Bronin, a law professor at the University of Connecticut and Yale University.
“It goes to the very core of the opportunities that families have to live in integrated communities and to have the opportunities that they need to thrive.”
The nation’s racial reckoning has generated momentum to make it easier for people to live wherever they want in the state, where Democrats control the state legislature, but there’s been some resistance, especially from residents and leaders of smaller and often wealthy communities.
At recent hearings on housing-related legislation, opponents have argued that proposed zoning changes from the state could end local decision-making of zoning matters and that a one-size-fits- all approach won’t work in a state with 169 unique cities and towns, many of which have plans to increase affordable housing opportunities.
“When we moved here over 25 years ago, one of the things that brought us here was the character of the community, the small town feel that we have here,” said Erin Hedley, a resident of New Canaan, during an online public hearing where she testified against a bill that would eliminate some public hearing requirements for accessory dwelling units, such as in-law apartments.
“I don’t feel like we need to ‘city-fy’ all of our suburbs at the expense of what makes our rural towns so desirable to begin with,” she told state lawmakers.
Bronin contends that many of the concerns about her group’s efforts have been unfounded.
“Studies nationally have not shown that the people who they have most targeted in their rhetoric, singlefamily homeowners … have lost anything with zoning reform and, in fact, they have a lot to gain,” Bronin said.
“Not just from rising property values, but also from the benefits that come with living in a more integrated society.”
Besides making it easier to allow accessory dwelling units, Desegregate Connecticut has proposed capping parking mandates, encouraging transit-oriented development, training local zoning board members and creating model zoning codes that cities and towns can choose from, including defining “character” with physical attributes.
Freshman state Rep. Kimberly Fiorello, a Republican from Greenwich, said at the same hearing that she’s heard from both Democratic and Republican constituents who are anxious about the state dictating local zoning rules.
During her election campaign in 2020, Fiorello warned “zoning and cancel culture are on the ballot this November” and that “activists and legislators have plans to change how we live in our towns.”
She told fellow lawmakers, “Yes, we want more diverse housing and more efficient government, but not at the cost of giving up our local voices, local transparency and local accountability.”
Critics of the status quo have historically argued that some zoning policies negatively impact minority and low-income communities, and are the cause of the communities being locked out of affluent areas.
Nationwide, some planners have worked to help make housing more affordable and promote equity. Sacramento, Calif.; Portland, Ore.; and Minneapolis are a few of the places in recent years to address an end to single-family zoning, which is a policy that receives criticism because minority communities are statistically more likely to live in a multi-family setting.
The killing of Floyd, coupled with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on minority communities, has made many planners more aware of the social impacts of zoning laws, deed restrictions and redlining, said Desiree Powell, an urban planner in the Dallas-Fort Worth area who founded the planning firm blckspces.