Meet John, co-founder of Stop Handgun Violence

From “No Nukes” to “ENOUGH”, there’s no doubt John Rosenthal has passion and compassion to do what’s right. Read more about John and join him to celebrate 25 years of Stop Handgun Violence!

 

 

 

On our Calendar:

  • Sep 11 (Wed) Stop Handgun Violence Volunteer Meet Up; RSVP.
  • Sep 13 (Fri) BPeace protest rally at Smith & Wesson.
  • Sep 14 (Sat) Grandmothers Against Gun Violence rally.
  • Sep 14 (Sat) Youth R.I.S.E. rally in Boston.
  • Sep 25 (Wed) Free Concert Across America in Hyannis.
  • Oct 2 (Wed) Moms Demand Action Lobby Day.
  • Oct 24 (Thu) Stop Handgun Violence 25th Anniversary Party!

Across Our Nation

Top presidential candidates support Gabby Giffords to create an ad about gun violence.

Albertson’s joins the trend of retailers and supermarkets asking to stop open carry in stores.

Are active shooter drills in schools beneficial?

Mass shooting deaths up 347% since assault weapons ban expired in 2004.

Chinese student denied entry into the U.S. for carrying a bullet-proof vest.

Massachusetts Gun Violence Prevention & Other States

What can Nevada learn from Massachusetts gun laws?

Sandy Hook, CT families win legal lawsuit against Alex Jones, Infowars.

In Maine, a man shoots and kills a woman mistaken for a deer and only sentenced for 9 months.

In San Diego, a man sentenced for running an illegal guns and ammunition factory out of his home.

The Iron Dixie Pipeline to Chicago begins in Mississippi.

Nevada college student arrested for 2,000 rounds of ammunition in his car.

Court allows Charleston shooting victim families to sue over flaws in federal background check system.

Texas Lt. Governor takes the lead on universal background checks.

Bump stock ban is enforced in Houston, Texas.

The Gun Industry Rounds

The NRA files new lawsuit against former ad agency.

NRA spending $100,000 to move the annual board meeting to D.C.

More personal spending on the NRA’s account by Wayne LaPierre.

NASCAR denies the NRA advertisement opportunity at their events.

NRA designated as a terrorist group in San Francisco.

Inventor family of the AR-15 states this was meant to be a military weapon.

Congratulations to Arnold Worldwide for 3D Tragedies awarded with a 2019 Clio Bronze!

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John Rosenthal

Meet John, co-founder of Stop Handgun Violence.

Why did you start Stop Handgun Violence?

I founded Stop Handgun Violence with the late Michael Kennedy, at a time when the Massachusetts arm of the National Rifle Association dominated public opinion and state legislative policy on an individual’s right to own a gun. We used our combined professional and personal background and resources to change the historically polarized gun debate and fuel our political advocacy strategy.

As a grassroots community organizer and businessperson in the real estate industry, and co-founder of several nonprofit organizations including— Friends of Boston’s Homeless and Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative— I have learned firsthand the unique effectiveness that Businesspeople can bring to public policy. Businesspeople have inordinate influence, access, resources and power to solve problems. When combined with community organizing and a sincere concern for social justice, businesspeople can help communities and elected leaders to dramatically solve seemingly intractable problems and change greed based bad public policy and bad public health outcomes into good public policy and good public health outcomes.

What are your most memorable social justice campaigns?

I spent my twenties as an environmental community organizer for safe energy and against nuclear power and weapons. I was a lead organizer against the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant in California and helped organize the largest protest in history at a US nuclear plant. Between 1977 and 1983 I spent over three and half months in jail for nonviolent civil disobedience at nuclear power and weapons facilities. In 1977, there were 1,000 nuclear plants planned by the year 2,000. Today, there are 90 nuclear plants and dropping every year because of the effectiveness of the environmental/antinuclear movement.

In 1995 as a businessperson, gun owner and co-founder of Stop Handgun Violence, I built a massive billboard on a parking garage along the Mass Pike near Fenway Park, with gun violence prevention messages such as “Assault weapons have stopping power. Fortunately, so does your vote.” During the 20 years that the billboard was there it was viewed by millions of commuters and tourists, elected officials, candidates and even President Clinton and VP President Al Gore quoted our provocative messages. Our current billboard, positioned in a prime location on Boylston Street near the Prudential Center, is designed by Manuel Oliver who’s son was tragically killed in Parkland, Florida.

In 2015 I co-founded the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative which provides law enforcement based access to treatment and recovery services for anyone with the disease of opioid addiction. To date PAARI has grown to include over 470 police departments in 33 states, helped change the national conversation around the opioid epidemic and enact state and national legislation and secure millions of dollars in funding and place over 22,000 people into treatment and recovery programs.

What’s your favorite Massachusetts destination?

The North Shore and everywhere off the coast on my sailboat named ONWARD.

Fun fact: 

Nature is my religion and I love to bike, ski, sail, hike, play tennis and do just about anything outside.

Celebrate John’s commitment to end gun violence and join him at our 25th Anniversary party on October 24, 2019.

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Looking to get involved? Join us at a volunteer meet up.

Come out to our first Volunteer Meet Up in Arlington next week! Learn about what we do and how you can join the movement to end gun violence. Please RSVP, thanks!

News Highlights:
  • Shooter in Odessa bought assault-style rifle via private sale.
  • Walmart announced changes in sales of ammunition and open carry. Kroger followed suit to stop open carry in their stores.
  • Stop Handgun Violence testified at a crowded Public Safety Hearing at the Massachusetts State House. Board member Gail Erdos spoke on behalf of SHV to support crime data research analysis and various gun reform bills.
  • The NRA might be losing allies in Congress, but they still have Trump.

Meet MB, a board member since 2015.

She walked 50 Miles More last year and she shares why it was her favorite SHV event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet Jordan, a senior board member.

He tells us how he saw the public impact of SHV billboards on the Mass Turnpike.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 17, 1995

Our first billboard in 1995 raised the attention of 16 children killed by guns everyday.  For over two decades Stop Handgun Violence used the highly effective method of billboards to educate and raise public awareness about the epidemic of gun-related violence. Celebrate with us at our #SHV25 Anniversary party!

We Support the Peace Plan

Last weekend, another Texas mass shooting killed seven people. Nine injured at an Alabama High School. Eight killed in Chicago. Gun violence is a health epidemic that results in nearly 40,000 deaths in one year and countless mass shootings! We believe the MA gun law reform model is a feasible solution toward less gun violence. But we know that it will take more, such as the March for Our Lives Peace Plan. It lays out a multi-pronged approach that we encourage all to support. We can’t wait to hear more at the March for Our Lives gun safety candidate forum on October 2nd!

Preorder your Bullets Leave Holes T-shirts by Sep 24!

On our Calendar:
  • Sep 9 (Mon) Operation Lipstick Talk Night.
  • Sep 11 (Wed) Stop Handgun Violence Volunteer Meet Up in Arlington.
  • Sep 13 (Fri) BPeace student protest rally at Smith & Wesson.
  • Sep 14 (Sat) Grandmothers Against Gun Violence monthly rally.
  • Sep 15 (Sun) A Concert Across America benefit in Lexington.
  • Sep 25 (Wed) Free Concert Across America in Hyannis.
  • Oct 2 (Wed) Moms Demand Action Lobby Day.
  • Oct 24 (Thu) Stop Handgun Violence 25th Anniversary Party!

 

 

Sonya Coleman

Meet Sonya,  a Community Organizer for Stop Handgun Violence.

When did you get involved in gun violence prevention (GVP)?

I became an activist for GVP after the Sandy Hook mass shooting.

I quickly learned that our weak gun laws allowed easy access to those who shouldn’t have them. Remaining on the sidelines on this issue was no longer an option and I continue to do whatever I can to advocate for stronger gun laws.

What is your most memorable Stop Handgun Violence event?

Hands down, 50 Miles More-Massachusetts. Helping to organize this protest march with students and SHV was the MOST rewarding volunteer action in my activist life (so far)! Plus, witnessing first-hand the dedication and resolve of youth leaders was truly an inspiration for me. It’s definitely a positive shift for the GVP movement.

What’s your favorite Massachusetts destination?

The Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston.

Fun fact: 

Rode 4 days on horseback into the Outback of New South Wales, Australia.

Celebrate Sonya’s work to end gun violence and join her at our 25th Anniversary party on October 24, 2019.

David Rosenbloom

Meet David, serving as a Board Member for over 20 years.

Why did you choose to serve on the Stop Handgun Violence Board?

We were working on the gun issue through Join Together and SHV provided a way for me to be directly involved at the State and local level.

What is your most memorable Stop Handgun Violence event?

The March for Our Lives.

Fun fact:

I wrote and published one of the first books–The Election Men–about the emergence of the professional campaign management business–and predicted its negative impact on American democracy.

Celebrate David’s commitment to end gun violence and join him at our 25th Anniversary party on October 24, 2019.

 

Press Release: Stop Handgun Violence responds to Massachusetts Public Safety Committee hearing on gun violence prevention bills

On Wednesday, August 28, 2019, the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security will hear testimony on over 60 firearm bills. Stop Handgun Violence board member, Gail Erdos, will be testifying on behalf of the organization.

“We applaud the legislature for holding a hearing on these important bills.”  said John Rosenthal, founder of Stop Handgun Violence. “Under the 2014 law, a web portal was created to provide an easy way for private gun sellers and buyers to run a background check on each other during a sale. However, the Massachusetts system is unable to connect to the broader NICS system. Therefore, it is extremely important that the legislature move to close this loophole by requiring sales to include both a NICS background check and a MIRCS background check. We are supporting Rep. Linsky’s An Act relative to universal background checks for private gun sales to close this loophole”

“Massachusetts has been a national leader on gun violence prevention” said Gail Erdos, Stop Handgun Violence board member. “However, there is still more to do. Since 2014, crime gun data has been collected by the commonwealth. Unfortunately, this data has not been utilized successfully. We support Rep. Decker and Senator Creem’s crime gun data analysis bill which would require a report about the existing data so that legislators and law enforcement can effectively target the source of guns used in crime.”

In addition to those priorities, we support the following bills:

  • Priority: Representative Linsky’s (H. 2092) “An Act relative to universal background checks for private gun sales”
  • Priority: Representative Decker/Senator Creem (S.1388/ H. 2045) “An act relative to crime gun data reporting and analysis”
  • An act relative to firearms and firearm violence (Senator Creem -S.1387)
  • An Act authorizing the voluntary disavowal of eligibility to purchase a firearm (Rep. Decker – H. 2048)
  • An act relative to ghost guns (Rep. Decker – H. 3843)
  • An Act requiring licensed gun owners to submit a yearly affidavit (Rep. Decker – H. 3576)
  • An Act relative to the reckless discharge of firearms (Rep. Decker H. 2046)
  • An Act making firearm owners civilly liable for damage caused by lost or stolen firearms (Rep. Decker H. 2044)
  • An Act establishing an institute within the Department of Public Health (Senator Brownsberger/ Rep. Linsky S.1368/ H.3577)
  • An Act relative to 3D printed weapons and “ghost guns” (Rep. Linsky H. 2096)
  • An Act to clarify the prosecution of illegal guns (Rep. Linsky H. 2094)
  • An Act requiring live fire practice for a firearms license (Rep. Linsky H. 2091)
  • An Act to require liability insurance for gun ownership (Rep. Linsky H. 2093)
  • An Act establishing a smart gun technology task force (Rep. Peisch H. 2117)

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Stop Handgun Violence(SHV) is a Massachusetts based non-profit organization committed to the prevention of gun violence through education, public awareness, effective law enforcement and common sense gun laws. SHV has been the lead advocate in Massachusetts for enactment of the most effective gun violence prevention laws and first in the nation consumer protection regulations. The organization does not seek to restrict Constitutional rights,but advocates only for common sense legislation that will help save lives. For more information, go to www.stophandgunviolence.org

 

 

Support us at the State House

This Wednesday, Stop Handgun Violence will testify to support various gun reform bills such as closing a private sale loophole that still exists in Massachusetts. Come out to support us at the MA State House committee hearing – more details below.

On our calendar:

  • Aug 28 (Wed) MA committee hearing on state gun reform bills.
  • Sep 4 (Wed) Suicide Prevention Talk for firearm owners.
  • Sep 9 (Wed) Stop Handgun Violence Volunteer Meet Up; RSVP.
  • Sep 13 (Fri) BPeace protest rally at Smith & Wesson.
  • Sep 14 (Sat) Grandmothers Against Gun Violence rally.
  • Sep 15 (Sun) A Concert Across America benefit in Lexington.
  • Sep 25 (Wed) Free Concert Across America in Hyannis.
  • Oct 24 (Thu) Stop Handgun Violence 25th Anniversary Party!

Pre-order your limited edition Bullet Leaves Holes T-shirts for delivery at our 25th Anniversary Party!

 

 

 

 

 

Across Our Nation

A recent study of Gun Violence Restraining Orders in California shows positive results in gun violence prevention.

March for Our Lives release an ambitious gun reform plan, called the Peace Plan.

Dick’s Sporting Goods has record earnings and continues to reduce guns and ammunition inventory in stores.

Private gun owners thwart Facebook’s policy to sell their guns.

The House Judiciary Committee will return from summer recess early to review gun reform legislation.

Veteran lawmakers call for return of the Federal assault weapons ban.

Research suggests states with more gun owners have more murders in the home.

Massachusetts Gun Violence Prevention & Other States

Massachusetts lawmakers to hear from the public on dozens of gun safety laws.

B.U. School of Public Health releases a study on the impact of gun laws for urban and suburban settings.

San Jose Mayor sees mandatory gun insurance as part of the solution.

A place to hide included in new Michigan high school construction.

A Michigan study in Detroit shows tearing down abandoned buildings could lower gun violence.

In New Jersey, high school students paint a mural on gun violence that irks some adults.

Ohio first graders remove gun from case in school administrative office.

Ohio teen who made online threats owned 25 guns and 10,000 ammunition rounds.

Virginia Attorney General fights for state gun laws at U.S. Supreme Court.

The Gun Industry Rounds

Six more NRA Board Members resign.

The NRA legal team shake up includes outside counsel Michael Volkov’s resignation.

Wayne LaPierre informs President Trump that universal background checks are off the table.

NRA favorability rating slid into negative digits for the first time.

NRA lobbyist testified against Florida’s proposed assault weapons ban.

A $6.5million promise from the NRA to Wayne LaPierre is the latest financial controversy.

Signed & framed poster image of our student graffiti art project will be auctioned at our #SHV25 Anniversary party on October 24, 2019.

Don’t miss out and join us!

 

 

 

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MB Jarosik

Meet MB, an active Board Member for 4 years.

Why did you choose to serve on the Stop Handgun Violence Board?
“Mom do you think that I could get shot at my school?” Grace Jarosik, 5th grade, 2015.

I joined Stop Hand Gun Violence to volunteer in every way possible to promote gun safety and prevent ever having to hear this question again.

What is your most memorable Stop Handgun Violence event?
50 Miles More March. Uniting with the marchers to dedicate that day for a victim of gun violence [Day 3 from Wilbraham to Springfield].

What’s your favorite Massachusetts destination?
Coffin Beach, Wingaersheek, MA. The Caribbean of the north shore.

Fun fact:
For the past 18 years I flew to Austin, Texas on my birthday to buy a pair of cowboy boots.

Celebrate M.B.’s work to end gun violence and join her at our 25th Anniversary party on October 24, 2019!

Debating Gun Control

Will the Politics of Gun Control Shift This Time?

Watch John Rosenthal, gun owner and co-founder of Stop Handgun Violence, discuss background checks and more in a lively debate with Jim Braude at WGBH.

 

Meet Matt, a veteran Board member since 1995 and he tells us why he joined SHV:

“Without a focused, organized group of citizens offering a platform, it seems common sense was in danger of being lost.”

Join him at #SHV25 Anniversary Party!

Meet Melissa, a SHV board member who recognizes the epidemic of gun violence.

“Gun violence is a pervasive issue in communities across our country… and thoughts and prayers are no longer enough.”

Join her at #SHV25 Anniversary Party!

 

Sneak peek!

We’re auctioning off two framed & signed posters from our student ARTivism projects at #SHV25! Don’t miss out on a chance to own these original pieces.

Get your #SHV25 tickets today

 

What Defines a Generation?

Nate, a high school student activist who marched 50 miles to protest Smith & Wesson with us last year, shares his story growing up in the epidemic of gun violence as the ‘lockdown generation’.

 

 

On Our Calendar:

  • Aug 21 (Wed) Behind the Bullet private showing in Brookline.
  • Aug 28 (Wed) MA committee hearing on state gun reform bills.
  • Sep 4 (Wed) Suicide Prevention Talk for firearm owners.
  • Sep 14 (Sat) Grandmothers Against Gun Violence rally.
  • Sep 15 (Sun) A Concert Across America benefit in Lexington.
  • Sep 25 (Wed) Free Concert Across America in Hyannis.
  • Oct 24 (Thu) Stop Handgun Violence 25th Anniversary Party!

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Jordan Warshaw

Meet Jordan, a senior Board Member for 22 years.

Why did you choose to serve on the Stop Handgun Violence Board?
I was a graduate student at the time of the Stockton, CA schoolyard shooting, which prompted me to do a year-long study of American gun violence and gun laws. My study convinced me that the problem was a uniquely American one due to lack of political will to address the issue, and have involved with advocacy organizations, first in Pennsylvania and then with SHV, since.
What is your most memorable Stop Handgun Violence campaign?
The series of Mass Turnpike billboards. The power and reach of the messages – each message letting thousands of people each day know everything from gun violence statistics to the faces of some of those who have senselessly lost their lives.
Has gun violence personally impacted you?
While not directly relevant to American gun violence, my high school best friend was killed at age 21 in a terrorist shooting in a European airport, so each time I hear of another shooting, another promising life ended too young, it bring’s John’s shooting death back to me.
What’s your favorite Massachusetts destination?
Hale Reservation!
Fun fact:
I’m an incredibly mediocre drummer who some day will drop my day job and join an incredibly mediocre band.
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Submitted 7/28/19, 4:12 PM