U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was the only dissenting vote in Friday's U.S. Supreme Court ruling that upheld a ban on firearms for anyone under a restraining order from a spouse or partner.

The justices reversed a ruling from the Federal Appeals Court in New Orleans, which had struck down the law, according to a June 21 Associated Press article, "The Supreme Court Upholds gun control law intended to protect domestic violence victims," by Mark Sherman, June 21.

Laura Kuester, executive director of Help In Crisis in northeastern Oklahoma, lauded the ruling. HIC serves battered women and their children in Cherokee, Adair, Sequoyah and Wagoner counties.

"I applaud the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the federal law that protects victims by keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals who pose a threat to their intimate partners and children," Kuester said. "

Kuester said a woman who is a victim of domestic violence is five times more likely to be killed by her abuser if there is a gun in the home.

"This is a win for survivors everywhere," Kuester said.

Jaime Stout, assistant director of Women in Safe Home in Muskogee, agrees.

"A victim is often in the most danger directly following the escape of the relationship or whenever they seek help," she said. "One out of five homicide victims with restraining orders are murdered within two days of obtaining order and one out of three murdered within the first month."

District 27 District Attorney Jack Thorp said the court's decision was consistent with Oklahoma's interpretation of the law.

“I respect the ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court and our office will follow the decision, as it is the supreme law of the land," Thorp said.

He said it is the court's job to interpret the law and his job to enforce it.

Muskogee County Sheriff Andy Simmons said the ruling reinforces the original decision.

“It already states on ATF 4473 Part 1 [Firearms Transaction Record Over-the-Counter form] that a person who has a protective order against them involving domestic violence cannot get a firearm,” Simmons said.

Cherokee County Sheriff Jason Chennault said he has difficulty agreeing with "red flag" laws.

"The [Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives] already disallows defendants in protective orders from purchasing firearms," Chennault said. "In my experience, it is way too easy to obtain a protective order, and I feel this decision will be violating the Second Amendment rights of a lot of people."

Chennault said he would feel more comfortable if a conviction was required before a person’s firearms were taken away.

Ronn Rowland of the Muskogee Phoenix contributed to this story.