The theme of this week’s update is once again ERPO!
But first, a look at upcoming events:
- May 12th (Saturday) – Inaugural fundraiser of the New England Marjory Stoneham Douglas Alumni
- May 13th (Sunday) – 22nd Annual Mothers’ Day Walk For Peace in Boston.
- June date TBD – Cambridge Gun Buy Back.
- June 2nd (Saturday) – National Gun Violence Awareness Day.
- June 2nd (Saturday) – Brady Campaign Mass Chapter Asking Saves Kids (ASK) Event.
- June 15th (Friday) – Gun Violence Prevention Demo Day at Mass General Hospital.
- July 31st (Tuesday) – Massachusetts Legislature Last Day for Formal Sessions.
- Sept 23rd (Sunday) – Concert Across America to End Gun Violence.
ERPO in Massachusetts:
Last week, Speaker DeLeo came out in support of extreme risk protection order legislation at a press conference at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. A House vote on the MA bill is expected as early as next week or later this month.
In addition to support from faith leaders, youth organizations and gun violence prevention groups, the Massachusetts Chiefs Of Police Association offered their support of Rep. Decker’s Extreme Risk Protection Order bill. Read about it here.
Harvard student, Reed Shafer-Ray, discussed with Commonwealth Magazine why he asked Rep. Decker to file an extreme risk protective order bill this session, why it is too late for his friend, but could still work to save other lives.
ERPO Elsewhere:
The Colorado State House voted in favor of their own Extreme Risk Protection Order bill. This was a major win for gun violence prevention advocates whose efforts have mostly been stymied after several legislators were recalled following positive legislation passed after Newtown. Further indicating that opinions have shifted in the wake of many high profile mass shootings since Sandy Hook Elementary. Support for the bill is widespread due in part to public education about the policy by local media.
Massachusetts News:
Mothers for Justice and Equality President, Monalisa Smith, received the John Hancock Admiration Award this week. See the ceremony here.
State lawmakers filed a bill to divest firearm stocks from pension fund. Testimony was heard last week. The city of Worcester is also investigating the possibility of divesting from gun stocks in pension funds, read more here.
Local gun violence victim, Salem State University student Chris Joyce, is remembered by friends and family in Jamaica Plain as the type of person who would give you the shirt off his back. Joyce was murdered at a Boston apartment just two weeks before his expected graduation.
Prominent New Bedford area men were involved with a string of illegal gun raffles. More here.
Fall River students participated in a school safety forum hosted by the Herald News.
B-Peace for Jorge students led a protest in front of Smith and Wesson, asking for a meeting with CEO James Debney.
Once again, Massachusetts is lauded as the state with the best gun laws in the country and the lowest gun deaths.
News from across the nation:
The AMA Journal of Ethics released a report on the role of trauma surgeons’ professional responsibility in violence prevention.
The California Treasurer was thwarted in his efforts to divest CalPERS from gun investments.
The Center for American Progress released a report on the impact of gun violence on young people.
Connecticut moved closer to banning bump stocks, the firearm accessory used to turn semi-automatic weapons into firearms that can fire at a rate closer to a machine gun.
Governor Cuomo of New York signed a bill into law that closes loopholes in the state’s domestic violence law and strengthens protections for victims.
Governor Carney of Delaware signed a bill into law that restricts access to firearms to individuals who mental health professionals believe are a danger to themselves or others.
Giffords Law Center released a study on the economic toll of gun violence in New Jersey, you can read more here.
Mother Jones investigated the connection between the NRA and Russia.
And firearm manufacturer Remington is set to exit bankruptcy, more from the New York Times here.
Thank you for reading until the end!
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