Obama faces pressure from women’s group over guns

President Obama should take executive action to prevent domestic abusers and stalkers from purchasing guns, a women’s group said Monday.

The group UltraViolet is petitioning Obama to close the “boyfriend loophole” as part of a series of executive actions he plans to take on guns.

{mosads}About 44,000 people have signed the petition.

“Stalkers and abusers simply shouldn’t have access to guns — and when they do, women die,” UltraViolet co-founder Shaunna Thomas said in a statement. “President Obama could save countless women’s lives by taking action today.”

Following the mass shooting at an Oregon college, Obama announced earlier this month a set of executive actions he intends to issue restricting the availability of guns. The move will likely face a court battle.

The women’s group is requesting he include the boyfriend loophole as part of the executive order.

Federal law prohibits men convicted of abusing their wives or a woman they live with from purchasing a gun, but it does not address people who are in dating relationships. These people can still buy guns in 35 states, according to the petition.

The petitioners are calling on Obama to include a provision in his upcoming executive order that prohibits anyone convicted of domestic violence or stalking from purchasing a gun.

“If we act fast, President Obama can close this loophole with an executive order — without congressional approval,” the petitioners write. “Right now, the administration is considering a number of executive orders to curb gun violence, and if we show widespread public support, closing the ‘boyfriend loophole’ will be one of them.”