House Committee hearings to examine the role of gun manufacturers.

The House Committee on Oversight and Reform examines the role of gun manufacturers in flooding our communities with weapons of war and fueling America’s gun violence crisis. The Committee sent letters to several companies, including Daniel Defense, LLC, Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc., Sturm, Ruger & Company. Smith & Wesson CEO backed out and failed to testify; a subpoena is forthcoming.

In the News:

  • After the SCOTUS Bruen ruling, Massachusetts legislators are working to shore up the state’s licensing laws.
  • Many gun control policies have majority approval among polled Americans.
  • A retired Major who served in the Iraqi war explains the difference between AR15’s in war and in the civilian market.
  • Teachers and students are on the front lines of gun violence at schools.
  • In response to recent mass shootings, Pat Benatar won’t sing her song on stage.

SHV joins the MA Coalitionto Prevent Gun Violence for a lobby day during the final days of Massachusetts legislative session.

 

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Assault Weapons Ban voted out of Committee

In the News:

  • The House Judiciary Committee held its first markup of an assault weapons ban in two decades this week. In a 25-18 vote, the committee voted to send it to the full House.
  • Massachusetts licensing law helps prevent risky individuals, like the Highland Park shooter, from purchasing guns.
  • Destructing how 376 law enforcement officers at the Uvalde elementary school failed in saving 21 lives.
  • Change the Ref sends a mile-long convoy of school buses to Senator Ted Cruz.
  • Like the tobacco industry, the gun industry must be held accountable for business tactics.

There’s still time to tell our Massachusetts elected officials to support the “Act to Stop Mass Shootings” which would ban the manufacture of assault weapons in the Commonwealth.

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Senate confirms Dettlebach for ATF

In the News:

  • The Senate confirmed Steve Dettlebach as director of the ATF.
  • President Biden unites advocates, survivors, legislators and officials to mark the bipartisan Safer Communities Act.
  • Vice President Harris joins the call to renew the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban.
  • GOAL of Massachusetts calls for eliminating the suitability standard that gives local police chiefs discretion for licensing.
  • The gap between NH and MA gun laws sets the stage where many illegal guns are trafficked into the Commonwealth.

Stop Handgun Violence was invited and honored to be at the White House with partners, advocates & survivors for the 2022 Safer Communities Act.

 

 

 

 

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Action Alert: Tell Statehouse to Ban Manufacture of Assault Weapons

Did you know that assault weapons are banned in Massachusetts but they continue to be manufactured here? Massachusetts-made assault weapons are used in high-profile mass shootings across the U.S. The shooter at the Highland Park 4th of July Parade used a Massachusetts-made assault weapon to kill seven individuals last week. Together, we can stop the flow of weapons from Massachusetts to other states.

Tell our elected officials to support the “Act to Stop Mass Shootings” which would ban the manufacture of assault weapons in Massachusetts.

In the News:

  • A war zone in Highland Park, Illinois after another mass shooting on July 4th.
  • Multiple shootings in Boston over the weekend wounded many.
  • Boston Police uncover ghost gun factory in Dorchester.
  • NY Times opinion: Gun rights over human life.
  • Massachusetts Attorney General Healey on SCOTUS ruling and guidance to law enforcement.
  • The Safer Communities Act was swiftly signed to law by President Biden; some have seen it as doing little to end gun violence but researchers see it as a glass half full.
  • Supreme Court rules against public opinion on guns and abortion care.

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On to the President’s Desk

The last 24 hours have been a whirlwind for gun violence prevention in our country.

Today: The U.S. House passed the Safer Communities Act which was passed by the Senate yesterday. That means gun legislation will be on the president’s desk for signature for the first time in 30 years. We wish the bill did more to close loopholes in our federal gun laws, but are proud of the years of work by supporters and advocates to get this monumental bill passed.

Yesterday: The Supreme Court STRUCK DOWN the New York gun law that required people to show “proper cause” to get a license to carry a concealed handgun outside the home. The vote was 6-3. While this is a devastating loss for New York, we believe Massachusetts‘ gun laws remain intact.

MORE NEWS:

  • The Senate Safer Communities Act passes and attempts to address the boyfriend loophole.
  • The rifle that ruined America.
  • Kaiser Permanente launches Gun Violence Research Center.
  • Police in red states want gun safety laws.
  • A firearms dealer’s open letter to support universal background checks.
  • Moms of Liberty in Arkansas threaten librarians with gun violence.
  • Delaware sends 3 gun safety bills to the Governor’s desk.
  • Judge dismisses NRA claim; New York lawsuit moves forward.
  • Ohio will arm teachers with only 24 hours of training.
  • Rhode Island passes 3 gun reform bills; includes raise the age, ban on high capacity magazines and ban open carry.

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Quick Catch Up: Over 1,000 join rally for gun violence in Boston

Have you seen us? Stop Handgun Violence has been out & about in Boston and beyond!

In response to the rise in gun violence, our organizer Sonya worked with local March for Our Lives students to execute a Boston rally in 2 weeks with 1,000+ supporters on Saturday June 11th.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We stood out with Grandmothers Against Gun Violence at their monthly June rally in Hyannis.

 

The Red Sox Foundation hosted a gun violence discussion panel with Stop Handgun Violence, March for Our Lives, Giffords, and U.S. Attorney Rollins at the iconic Fenway Park. Watch the Facebook stream here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Red Sox gave tribute to the gun violence epidemic at game day!Watch their video on lives taken by guns.

We joined survivors Gabby Giffords & David Hogg to throw the first pitch at the Red Sox game!

SHV in the News:

  • What are commonsense gun laws and how can they save lives?
  • Proposals fall far short of what is needed to stop mass shootings.
  • John Rosenthal speaks to America’s Gun Violence with Jim & Margery on GBH podcast.
  • Washington Post opinion piece:6 solutions to gun violence that could work.
  • A CBS interview: U.S. struggles with wave of gun violence.

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TODAY: House votes on the Protecting Our Kids Act

TODAY: The U.S. House will vote on the Protecting Our Kids Act which raises the purchase age of firearms and requires safe storage.

In the Senate, members are still working on a bipartisan compromise on background checks. Tell you Senator you support background checks for all gun sales.

 

More News:

  • House Democrats plan to introduce a bill to tax AR15’s 1,000% excise tax.
  • Senator Manchin wants to raise the age to 21 on gun purchases.
  • Representative Kinzinger open to banning AR15s.
  • Senator Murphy remains hopeful for a bipartisan gun reform bill by the end of the week.
  • What can be done to curb gun violence in America?
  • Washington Post Opinion: solutions to gun violence that could work. “No proposed reform alone will stop our gun violence epidemic. But together they can make a serious impact.”
  • The Uvalde shooter legally bought two AR15’s in Texas; but not old enough to buy a beer.
  • New York Governor signs gun reform bills to law; includes raise the age to 21.

On our calendar:

  • Saturday, June 11 in Boston with Boston MFOL; 3pm rally at Christopher Columbus Park 100 Atlantic Ave.
  • Sunday, June 12th at Gloucester Stage, John Rosenthal post-performance talk back.
  • Tuesday, June 14 at the Airport rotary in Hyannis; 11:30am rally with Grandmothers Against Gun Violence
  • Thursday, June 16 at Fenway Park; John Rosenthal will join Gabby Giffords as she throws out the first pitch.

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Wear Orange in June

#WearOrange in June

Orange has been the color of Gun Violence Awareness after Hadiya Pendleton was tragically shot in 2013 when she was only 15 years old.

Post, share & tag your #WearOrange moment with us! @stophandguns

Local Events for Gun Violence Awareness

  • Thursday, June 2 in Gloucester; 9:30am Mayoral proclamation for #WearOrange.
  • Saturday, June 11 in Boston with Boston MFOL; noon rally in response to school shootings.
  • Saturday, June 11 in Cambridge with the Interfaith community; gift cards for guns buyback.
  • Sunday, June 12 & 19 at Gloucester Stage, John Rosenthal post-performance talk backs.
  • Tuesday, June 14 at the Airport rotary in Hyannis; 11:30am rally with Grandmothers Against Gun Violence
  • Tuesday, June 28 in Boston at the Boston Public Library; 4:30pm documentary “This Ain’t Normal” hosted by the MA Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence 

Take Action Today to Reduce Gun Violence Across the United States

  • Ban assault weapons from the civilian market HERE.
  • Support Background Checks Act H.R.8 HERE.
  • Confirm ATF Director nominee Steve Dettelbach HERE.

 

 

 

 

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A Generation Abandoned.

When it comes to gun control, our children are Generation Abandoned.

Boston Globe op-ed written by

David Hogg and John Rosenthal.

More News:

  • 19 children and 2 adults shot dead in their elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.
  • Failed gun control since Sandy Hook to the Buffalo shooting.
  • In response to the Buffalo market shooting, Rep. Liz Cheney accuses her party’s leaders of enabling white nationalism, white supremacy and antisemitism.
  • Congressional House passes Domestic Terrorism Act.
  • John Hopkins analysis affirms the five states with the lowest gun death rates ALL had both a firearm purchaser licensing law or a waiting period, and an Extreme Protective law.

Take ACTION to honor Uvalde victims – BAN ASSAULT WEAPONS.

 

In the wake of the Uvalde shooting, our founder John Rosenthal has been busy advocating for gun law reform with various media outlets. Read them here and our public statement here.

 

 

 

 

 

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Hate Crime in Buffalo

A Hate Crime in Buffalo, New York

New York has strong gun laws that prohibit the possession of assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines like the ones likely used in this attack. However, neighboring states like Ohio and Pennsylvania do not. One of the guns in the possession of the 18-year old shooter was reportedly purchased in Pennsylvania.

  • New York Congressman Brian Higgins responds to the Buffalo shooting.
  • Buffalo gunman became a racist killer online.
  • Read SHV press statement here:

We agree with New York Congressman Higgins that a federal assault rifle weapons ban is long past due. 

…other hate crimes in the past week.

  • A Las Vegas man who the authorities say opened fire on a Taiwanese congregation at a Southern California church on Sunday May 15th was motivated by hatred. Dr. John Cheng who tried to stop the shooter was killed, plus 5 people were injured.
  • In Dallas, a suspect was finally arrested for a shooting on May 12th where three Korean women were injured. The Police Chief suggests it could be part of a string of similar hate crime incidents targeting Asian businesses.

 

Thanks to students in Ms. Harvey’s class for hosting SHV! We answered questions on community gun violence and heard what they’re doing to make a difference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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