Domestic abusers and guns can be a deadly combination
Lisette Johnson
CLOSE Some GOP lawmakers in Washington appear willing to consider legislative restrictions to curb gun violence  particularly in outlawing bump stocks  which the Trump administration also wants to do through administrative action.  (Feb. 26) AP
Lisette Johnson   center  is shown recently with  her  children Natalie and Graham. Natalie was 12 and Graham was about to turn 10 when their father shot their mother before killing himself in 2009. (Photo: Family photo)
If Virginia's 2016 law to enforce the gun restrictions was in effect when her husband shot her and killed himself   Lisette Johnson  says it would have likely prevented the tragedy. Even though police and courts still need to actively confiscate weapons â which is hardly the norm  â Johnson  said an "upscale abuser" like  her  husband would have likely turned his in.
"He didnât see himself as a criminal "  she  says.
 Johnson  never got a restraining order against  her  husband  but had told  him  to get all of  his  guns out of the house.  He  did â except for the one  he  used to fire five bullets  two of the four  he  fired at  her  are still inside  her  body.
 Johnson  now volunteers as a community advocate  who helps connect victims with doctors and other services they might have been cut off from while in the throes of control by their violent partners.  She  helped one young women who was two weeks away from giving birth and hadn't had any prenatal visits because  she  had been prevented from going to the doctor.
 Lisette Johnson   who survived domestic abuse and being shot by  her  late husband  is now an advocate for other victims. (Photo: Family photo)
CLOSE Some GOP lawmakers in Washington appear willing to consider legislative restrictions to curb gun violence  particularly in outlawing bump stocks  which the Trump administration also wants to do through administrative action.   [TGT] 
is shown recently with   [TGT]   children Natalie and Graham. Natalie was 12 and Graham was about to turn 10 when their father shot their mother before killing himself in 2009. (Photo: Family photo)
If  [TGT] says  [TGT]  would have likely prevented the tragedy. Even though police and courts still need to actively confiscate weapons â which is hardly the norm  â  [TGT] said an "upscale abuser" like   [TGT]   husband would have likely turned his in.
"He didnât see himself as a criminal "   [TGT]   says.
  [TGT] never got a restraining order against   [TGT]   husband  but had told   [TGT]   to get all of   [TGT]   guns out of the house.   [TGT]   did â except for the one   [TGT]   used to fire five bullets  two of the four   [TGT]   fired at  her  are still inside  her  body.
  [TGT] now volunteers as a community advocate  who helps connect victims with doctors and other services they might have been cut off from while in the throes of control by their violent partners.   [TGT]   helped one young women who was two weeks away from giving birth and hadn't had any prenatal visits because   [TGT]   had been prevented from going to the doctor.
 Lisette Johnson   who survived domestic abuse and being shot by  her  late husband  is now an advocate for other victims. (Photo: Family photo)