Outrage as Fox News host Dana Perino says female victims of domestic violence 'should make better decisions'

Fox News commentator Dana Perino suggested during a live broadcast that female victims of domestic violence should 'make better decisions' to avoid getting hurt.

Perino made the remark during a discussion on the murder-suicide of NFL player Jovan Belcher, who shot and killed his girlfriend before turning a gun on himself.



For months prior to the shooting, the couple had been having problems and police had previously been called to their home as a result.



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Fox News commentator Dana Perino suggested during a live broadcast that female victims of domestic violence should 'make better decisions' to avoid getting hurt

Under fire: Perino made the remark during a discussion on the murder-suicide of NFL player Jovan Belcher, who shot and killed his girlfriend before turning a gun on himself





VIDEO: Is Dana Perino blaming women for being victims of assault?

Fox commentators were discussing the implications of the crime and whether laws governing gun rights should be reexamined in the aftermath.

Fox host Greg Gutfeld said the violence may have been prevented if Belcher's girlfriend was carrying a gun the night she was killed.



That's when Perino, the former press secretary for George W. Bush, chimed in.

'I think it skirts the issue,' she said. 'Women are victims of violence all the time.'

Gutfeld cut in and insisted, again, that more women should carry guns.

'Well, maybe, or make better decisions,' Perino quipped.

Viewers lashed out at Perino on Twitter for the remark.



Orphaned: Belcher and his girlfriend, pictured, had a three-month-old daughter, Zoey, who is now in the custody of Belcher's mother

'I have no respect for Dana Perino for the comment she made about women and domestic violence!' wrote @JacsKrakrs. 'She just guaranteed I will not vote GOP!'

Wrote @RCheeBunker: 'Nice blame the victim. WOW. Just WOW!'

Tragic case: Belcher shot Perkins dead at their home on Saturday before shooting himself

Perino isn't the first commentator to draw the ire of viewers in discussing the touchy subject of gun rights and domestic violence in the aftermath of Belcher's murder-suicide.

Fox Sports commentator Bob Costas angered viewers when he suggested that stricter gun laws might have prevented the crime.

Costas praised a column by sports writer Jason Whitlock and told his viewers, ‘In the coming days, Jovan Belcher's actions and their possible connection to football will be analyzed. Who knows? But here, wrote Jason Whitlock, is what I believe.

‘If Jovan Belcher didn't possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today.’

Costas later defended his remarks, saying he didn't have enough time to explain himself and that he was misunderstood.