A New Administration!

We are hopeful that federal legislation will be a priority for the new administration that included gun violence prevention as part of their campaign platform. Even without legislation, a host of executive orders for gun control could save lives.

Listen to a previously recorded Brady podcast, “What the Biden Administration Means for Gun Violence Prevention.”

In the News:

  • Right-wing militia and white supremacy members arrested for alleged participation at the Capitol siege.
  • Texas man who stormed the Capitol threatens his children that he will shoot them if they turn him in.
  • People are panic-buying guns before Inauguration Day.
  • Major NRA donor, David Dellaquila, to challenge bankruptcy filing over fraud.
  • NRA’s attempt to evade accountability by filing for bankruptcy in New York is highly unlikely.

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Our Democracy is vulnerable.

We witnessed an attack rooted in white supremacy and privilege at our Capitol last Wednesday. It also showed the vulnerability of our Democracy. NPR provides a timeline summary on that fateful day that has now resulted in 5 people dead. Business Insider also shared a pictorial timeline that depicts the destruction and violence inside the Capitol. As horrific as it was, the Atlantic is right. It could have been worse as photos of wooden gallows erected by the violent mob on Capitol grounds have circulated.

Accountability is paramount to protect our current and future Democracy. We need more than social media account suspensions – although they help to stop the false narratives. We expect our Congressional leadership to take the appropriate actions to honor their pledge to uphold the Constitution.

Cheers to a New Year!

Happy New Year and THANK YOU to all who donated to our 2020 year end appeal!

We are grateful that so many of you remain committed to our cause. With your financial support, we are able to continue to do the life-saving work of gun violence prevention and awareness.

Early voting in Georgia’s special election surpasses 3 million!

More News:

  • Governor Baker signed the Police Reform Bill into law on December 24, 2020.
  • Governor Sununu cancels outdoor inauguration event due to armed protestors at his home.
  • Attorney Generals in D.C., Maryland and Virginia support lawsuit for ATF to regulate ghost guns.
  • A mass shooting at a Texas church leaves a pastor dead and people injured.
  • Federal funding for CDC research into gun violence approved in spending agreement.
  • Sadly, a record-breaking year in 2020 for gun related deaths.

We bid former Speaker Bob DeLeo a fond farewell as he moves on to new endeavors. Thank you for all your work to keep Massachusetts safer from gun violence.

SHV 25th Anniversary at the Foundation Room (10/2019)

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Take Action Today!

There’s still time to help get our priority bill on the floor for a vote. Please contact your legislator to support H.2045/S.1388 An Act Relative To Crime Gun Data Reporting and Analysis. This bill will require a detailed analysis of MA crime gun trace data to better understand the origins of crime guns. Contact your state representative here.

 

The Massachusetts legislature passed S.2963, An Act Relative to Justice, Equity and Accountability in Law Enforcement. This bill, though not all inclusive, does provide steps towards establishing a system for police accountability. Governor Baker must sign this week! Please call him at 617-724-4005 from 9am- 5pm and urge him to sign the bill into law. Or send an email – click here:

ACTION ALERT!

We are in the final stretch! Take action to bring our priority bill on the floor for a VOTE.

Please contact your own state legislators today, Wednesday December 2, 2020, to ask them to support H.2045/S.1388 An Act Relative To Crime Gun Data Reporting and Analysis.

This bill will require a detailed analysis of MA crime gun trace data to better understand the origins of crime guns. We want House Speaker DeLeo and Senate President Spilka to bring it to the floor for a vote.

Click HERE to send an email to your state representatives to support a vote on H.2045/S.1388.

You can also make a quick call – see the suggested script:

SCRIPT:

My name is _________. My address is _________. I am calling to ask my representative to contact House Speaker DeLeo and Senate President Spilka to bring a vote on H.2045/S.1388 An Act Relative To Crime Gun Data Reporting and Analysis. People are dying from crime guns, 50% of which come from within MA. We need to know the source of these crime guns so we know how to stop them getting to our streets.

Thank you.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Find your state legislature HERE.

 

Thank you for your action and to all who gave to our Giving Tuesday campaign!

Stop Handgun Violence Team

Save the Date: Giving Tuesday

On our Calendar:

  • TODAY Nov 17th: GVPedia “More Guns, More Crime” register online.
  • Friday Nov 20th: LDB Peace Institute 20th Annual Survivors of Homicide Victims
  • Tuesday Dec 1st: Stop Handgun Violence Giving Tuesday 2020

In the News:

  • Gun violence up in major cities across Massachusetts.
  • California courts deny injunction on age-limit for gun purchases.
  • In Kentucky, a surge in gun violence deaths among students prompts action.
  • Florida Governor seeks to expand Stand Your Ground Law.
  • The NRA spent $23M on 2020 federal elections.
  • A Gallup poll shows public support for stronger gun laws at its’ lowest since 2016
  • Gun stocks tanked during election drama last week and they continue to fall after positive news for COVID vaccine.

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We voted for gun violence prevention!

Congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden and VP-elect Kamala Harris! 

We voted for so many things, but especially for gun violence prevention! At the DNC 2020, Biden highlighted the gun violence epidemic. More recently on the campaign trail, Harris stated a series of executive orders for gun control.

What’s next?

A concession by the sitting President is an American tradition, but not required by law. Any election disputes must be resolved by December 8, 2020. On January 20, 2021, the process to inaugurate the next President, Joe Biden, will happen.

New firearms + COVID19 + rising anxiety & stress creates a perfect storm for gun violence.

 

Voter suppression happening

VOTER SUPPRESSION

The FBI is investigating arson at a ballot box in front of the Boston Public Library. The last collection before the fire at the Copley Square box was ~2:30 pm on Saturday, 10/24. Nearly 122 ballots were found inside, and Secretary Galvin said most were intact to be processed.

We encourage all voters to track their mail-in ballot for assurance. A listing by state to track your absentee ballot is here.

 

More in the News:

  • Arson likely at a California ballot box in Los Angeles.
  • In Florida, mail-in ballots of Black & Latinos rejected at double the rate than White voters.
  • Armed far-right groups are organizing in Idaho at the polls and other protests.
  • Meanwhile in Michigan, state ban on firearms at the polls will not be enforced by police.
  • Nevada Republicans sue to stop Clark County vote count of mail-in ballots.
  • Most New Hampshire polling locations will allow firearms but questionable that it doesn’t lead to potential voter intimidation?
  • The growing danger of political violence in America.

Check out these job postings by our partners:

  • The MA Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence is seeking a Community Organizer. 
  • Louis D. Brown Peace Institute has listed help for an Advocate.

MA voter registration deadline

In the News:

  • Shareholder group of Nuns ask Smith & Wesson to consider the impact of gun violence.
  • A mass shooting in Arizona – a family of seven shot, tragically the baby died.
  • South Floridian man arms himself with an AR-15 and handgun while visiting Disney World.
  • Kenosha shooter won’t face charges in home state Illinois.
  • Giffords launches a National Gun Owners organization to counter the NRA.
  • Guns Down America and the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence reports on limiting firearms at voting locations.
  • ACLU recognizes a rising epidemic of police shootings in COVID times.
  • Have you noticed? Gun control hasn’t been discussed on the presidential debate stage.
  • According to a college survey, GenZ top voting issues are police reform, climate crisis and healthcare.

Letter to Senate Leadership on the Supreme Court nomination process:

“As organizations work to strengthen public safety laws across the country, we come together to urge the Senate Leadership against rushing through the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the United States Supreme Court in the midst of an ongoing national election.”

READ the full letter here.

 

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