January 27, 2009, London/Stockholm: The International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) released a statement today warning of the dangers to women when firearms are kept in the home.

The fatal shooting of Kristin Kjelstrup by her former partner in Norway last week is a tragic example of how women are exposed to danger when their intimate partners have access to a gun, according to IANSA, a leader in the global movement against gun violence.

Current legislation in Norway does not require that partners or spouses are consulted by the police when deciding whether to grant a license to own a firearm.

“National gun laws must recognise the danger that is created for women when their male partners or relatives have access to a firearm,” said Sarah Masters, Coordinator of the IANSA Women’s Network. “Access to a lethal weapon makes so-called ‘crimes of passion’ far too common around the world. One third of Norwegian households contain a firearm.”

The IANSA Women’s Network is currently launching an international campaign to harmonise domestic violence and firearms laws, with provisions to separate perpetrators of domestic violence from guns.

So far these laws have been harmonized to greatest effect in Australia, Canada, South Africa, and Trinidad and Tobago. The governments of Scandinavia should review their laws in accordance with best practice to keep women safe, the IANSA staement said.

Ms Masters will be speaking at an Expert Seminar on Global Security Trends on Wednesday 28 January at the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation in Stockholm.