WASHINGTON, April 23 (UPI) -- The National Rifle Association has decided to stop publicly opposing a law that would require those accused of domestic violence to surrender their guns.
The one stipulation to the NRA's lack of public opposition is that they were able to convince lawmakers to make a few changes to the bill that would loosen its requirements. Instead of being required to hand over their guns to police or a licensed gun dealer, those accused of domestic violence can hand over their weapons to a friend or family member approved by a judge.
The NRA's move comes after one of their prominent members in New York City and the surrounding suburbs was arrested on domestic violence charges in March 2013. He pleaded guilty to harassing his wife, and when police came to his home, they found 39 guns in the house.
Statistics show that the victims of domestic abuse are more likely to end up killed at the hand of their abuser if there are firearms in the house. Many domestic violence groups say the NRA's change to the bill to let family or friends hold the weapons makes the bill less effective since there would be greater access.