Gun Reform Update: One Year After Parkland

We recognize the one year passing of Parkland, and the nearly 40,000 gun violence victims in our country every year. Attend an event near you to honor their lives with action.

What’s ahead:

  • Feb 14 (Thursday) MFOL Springfield hosts a Vigil for their Lives.
  • Feb 14 (Thursday) MSD New England Alumni vigil for Parkland in Boston.
  • Feb 14 (Thursday) Change The Ref unveils last Wall of Demand in NYC.
  • Mar 1 (Friday) MA Coaltion for Gun Violence Prevention submission deadline for Director position.
  • Mar 7 (Thursday) Moms Demand Action Mother’s Dream Quilt showing in Lowell.
  • Mar 28 (Thursday) MA Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence Peace MVP Award night.

Gun Violence Prevention Across the Nation

American Outdoors shun the nuns in shareholder report on Smith & Wesson product safety measures.

The House takes one step closer toward passing a Bipartisan Background Check Act, HR8.

Change The Ref founder, Manuel Oliver, explains his paternal reaction at the House Judiciary hearing.

Watch undercover investigators purchase firearms from Arms List without a background check.

Research shows the easy access to guns and gun violence is a stronger link than mental illness.

Reverend Rob Schenck speaks on faith and firearms.

A study shows no advantage to using guns in self-defense.

In America, nearly 2/3 of the population have gun violence related trauma.

Watch Senior Spring: How do teens feel about guns?; created after the Parkland shooting.

Tom’s Shoes #EndGunViolenceTogether campaign arrive in Washington D.C. to deliver 720,000 postcards to Congress.

Massachusetts and Other States:

David Hogg visits Holliston High School to encourage student activism.

The Kennedy Library recognized March For Our Lives students with 2019 New Frontier Award.

In Vermont, a study shows a high youth suicide risk due to guns.

A California mother’s son survived one mass shooting, but not the second.

Florida receives its first passing gun safety report card from Giffords.

Taking on gun control after the Parkland shooting.

Ohio lawmakers consider an Extreme Risk Protective Order bill.

In Pennsylvania, lawmakers consider taxing violent video games to fund school safety.

A Pennsylvania fire chief could be charged for pulling a gun on a boy scout.

Tennessee lawmakers review penalties on gun owners for lack of responsible storage.

Houston, Texas Police Chief provides strong testimony at the House Judiciary Committee hearing in support of universal background checks.

Sutherland Springs, Texas families allowed to sue the store who sold the firearms and ammunition to the shooter.

The NRA Rounds

NRA funded and Trump ally tries to remove Parkland father at House Judiciary hearing.

Emails and photos shows NRA’s presence in Russia.

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Gun Reform Update: Support Student Activists

SHV is proud to co-sponsor with MFOL: Boston a Gun Violence Prevention Regional Student Summit in early Spring 2019. For more information on how you can help a student, click here.

What’s ahead:

  • Feb 6 (Wednesday) US House Committee on the Judiciary hearing for HR.8.
  • Feb 14 (Thursday) MSD New England Alumni vigil for Parkland
  • Mar 1 (Friday) MA Coaltion for Gun Violence Prevention submission deadline for Director position.
  • Mar 28 (Thursday) MA Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence Peace MVP Award night.

Gun Violence Prevention Across the Nation 

America is ignoring the rising gun violence against women.

Guns in the home contribute to more childhood deaths.

Kamala Harris suggests showing autopsy photographs of gun violence victims to lawmakers.

More police officers died from gun violence than traffic incidents last year.

States are funding gun violence research where the Federal Government falls short.

States with highest gun ownership also has highest youth suicide rates.

Have we become numb to mass shootings?

4 million students on lockdown in 2018.

BU School of Public Health releases research on gun injuries.

Massachusetts and Other States: 

Entire Massachusetts Congressional Delegation co-sponsor HR.8.

A Boston fashion show highlights gun violence.

Cape Cod police give tips on active shooter drills.

In Maine, a forum on the state’s right to bear arms.

A bill in New Hampshire challenges the state’s stand your ground law.

New Hampshire lawmakers might sue over gun ban in the state house.

A Florida school arms their security with military style weapon.

Michigan Congressional Delegation has bipartisan support for universal background checks.

In New Jersey, Federal appeals court upholds firearm ban.

New York gun reform package passes, including an Extreme Risk Protective Order.

In Pennsylvania, shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue filed as a hate crime.

South Dakota passes conceal carry without permit.

In Virginia, the state senate passes guns-in-church bill.

The NRA Rounds

Washington is the second state to ban NRA-backed “murder insurance”.

NRA wants to distance themselves from Russia.

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Support Student Activists

In 2018, we witnessed a movement where students said ENOUGH gun violence.

With your support, they marched for their lives in Boston; they lobbied and hosted town halls with MA elected officials, and they walked 50 miles from Worcester to Springfield. As a result, real change happened. Retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods, LLBean and Levi’s took a stand to support gun violence prevention. Extreme Risk Protection Order Laws passed in eight states, including Massachusetts. With their communities’ support, young people voted in a record turnout at the mid-term elections. All this action without any structured training on advocacy for gun violence prevention (GVP)!

At Stop Handgun Violence, we strive to continue empowering student leaders to be smarter when advocating for gun law reform. We started with an Advocacy Toolkit last Spring. This year, we are proud to partner with March For Our Lives:Boston to sponsor a GVP conference inviting student activists from all six New England states. YOU can help to make this a worthy educational investment in our young leaders who want to remain active in the cause. To quote from Vikiana, one of our recognized student leaders, “We are not the future. We are the present.”

Know a student who should attend from Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island or Maine? Have them sign up here.

We know you believe in these young activists, too. Our budgeted conference cost for meals and materials is $75/student. You can directly help by sponsoring a student today. You can give them a learning opportunity on how to continue to take action to end gun violence not just for their future, but for today.

 

Thank you!
Stop Handgun Violence Team
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Gun Reform Update: Action Alert!

It’s time to mobilize! Your help is needed to secure co-sponsors this week for two critcal pieces of gun safety legislation for Massachusetts. Please click here for more information.

What’s ahead:

  • Now – April 27th Exhibit: “Guns: Loaded Conversations” at New England Quilt Museum.
  • Feb 14 (Thursday) MSD New England Alumni candlelight vigil for Parkland
  • Mar 1 (Friday) MA Coaltion for Gun Violence Prevention submission deadline for open Director position.
  • Mar 28 (Thursday) MA Coalition to Prevent GV Peace MVP Award

Gun Violence Prevention Across the Nation

The rising cost of treating gun violence at hospitals nearly one billion a year.

Parkland students and Giffords host nationwide town halls to support HR8.

Center for American Progress releases a message targeting Congress to pass gun safety reform.

As gun violence increases, more churches want armed security.

Massachusetts and Other States

Massachusetts students are found to be more engaged in civics and politics post-Parkland.

Boston Police Commissioner introduces a bill to curb gun violence.

Ex-New York police commander of state gun licensing bureau gave licenses to Trump and his son without proper credentials.

Florida suffers another mass shooting at a bank in Sebring.

In Louisiana, 5 dead and the shooter arrested in Virginia.

In Missouri, a deadly game of Russian roulette ends a life.

The Las Vegas shooter’s guns will be destroyed with funds from an anonymous donor.

A Pennsylvania bar shooting leaves four people dead.

In Washington, several county sheriffs will not enforce new gun laws; claiming 2nd amendment rights.

Proposed insurance to benefit gun violence victims has early support in Washington.

The NRA Rounds

The Supreme Court will hear a firearms transportation case for NY gun owner rights, backed by the NRA.

The NRA now officially part of the Mueller investigation.

There are shadows on the gun industry.

How the NRA suppressed gun violence research.

The NRA seeks to challenge two California gun laws.

Action Alert!

Dear Members:

TIME TO MOBILIZE! We need your help to secure co-sponsors this week for two critical pieces of gun safety legislation. Please call or email your representative TODAY and ask him or her to co-sponsor

  1. Rep Marjorie Decker’s Bill HD2610: “An Act Relative to Crime Gun Data Reporting and Analysis AND
  2. Chairman Linsky’s Bill HD836: “An Act Relative to Universal Background Checks for Private Sales.”
  • Rep. Decker’s bill (also filed in the Senate by Senator Creem) requires MA to analyze the crime gun data we’ve been collecting since enactment of the 2014 Gun Bill, to determine the source of crime guns in MA, including how many were purchased as part of a multiple handgun transaction.
  • Rep. Linsky’s bill requires all private gun sales in MA take place at a gun shop so that a federal background check can be run prior to sale.

If you don’t know who your State Representative is, you can find out here: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

Please call! An aide will answer the phone, ask for your name and address, and then you will ask that your rep please co-sponsor these two critical bills.

Gun Reform Update: Call Congress

There is a flurry of gun law reform bills filed in Congress! Please take 5 minutes from your day to call your Senators and Representative to support universal background checks and gun violence research.

What’s ahead:

  • Jan 24 (Thursday) Support MA student action at the State House for youth voting rights.
  • Jan 26 (Saturday) Operation Lipstick workshop on gun trafficking.
  • Jan 15-April 9 Exhibit Guns: Loaded Conversations at the New England Quilt Museum.
  • March 28 (Thursday) MA Coalition to Prevent GV Peace MVP Award.

Gun Violence Prevention Across the Nation

Senator Markey introduces S.184 to fund the CDC for gun violence research. A companion bill in the House also filed, H.R.435.

Federal gun storage bill introduced in the Senate by Connecticut Senators.

American Pediatrics and American College of Physicians throw their support behind universal background checks.

A case against conceal carry reciprocity; bills are reintroduced: S.69 and HR.38.

Manuel Oliver rallies with a 3-D image of his son in Washington D.C.

Episcopalian Bishops united against gun violence post weekly live prayer events on their Facebook.

Massachusetts and Other States

Greg Gibson of Gloucester and father of Galen, reflects on his life changed forever by gun violence.

In Springfield MA, a man found shot dead in a shopping plaza.

In Maine, a Massachusetts man arrested for stealing guns from a police cruiser.

Vermont reported 43 school threats in 2018.

Maryland’s Extreme Risk Protective Order law already results in 148 petitions executed in the first three months.

Utah gun rights activist who harassed Parkland students, charged for illegal possession of firearms.

Virginia Republican legislators will not pass any gun reform bills, including a red flag.

Houston,Texas residents concerned with bullets hitting their homes from a nearby gun range.

The NRA Rounds

NRA has allies on the Senate committee investigating NRA-Russia probe.

A peek into the NRA struggles.

Take Action to support these bills in Congress!

Take Action for House Bill H.R.8 

Call your Federal Representative to support H.R 8, a bill for Universal Background Checks on all guns sales.

“Thirty-one states do not currently require background checks for all gun sales.  If passed, this law would save countless lives by preventing dangerous individuals from accessing firearms without inconveniencing law-abiding gun owners. It would prevent those who are a proven risk to themselves and others, like individuals convicted of violent felonies and domestic abusers from purchasing firearms without detection. Background checks are supported by 97% of Americans including the majority of gun owners and I applaud the new Congress for prioritizing this life-saving and proven gun safety initiative.” John Rosenthal, SHV.

Link here: Who Represents Me in House of Representatives? 

Congressional Switchboard (800) 972-3524

Take Action for Senate Bill S.184

Call your Federal Senator to support S.184, a bill to authorize the appropriation of funds to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for conducting or supporting research on firearms safety or gun violence prevention.

Research and data are essential to bring forth the most effective policies and preventative measures to reduce gun violence in our country. In 1995, the NRA lobbied Congress to stop funding research on gun control by the CDC. The following year, Congress passed the Dickey Amendment that cut funding and ended the CDC’s ability to study any gun violence as a public health issue. We now lack 23 years of data that could help our country to prevent gun violence and save nearly 40,000 lives every year.

Link here: Who Represents Me in the Senate?

Congressional Switchboard (800) 972-3524

Gun Reform Update: Words Matter

We agree with Grandparents Aganist Gun Violence that words matter! Use their handy thesaurus the next time you shoot the breeze, or in other words, have a chat.

What’s ahead:

  • Jan 15 -23 (Wednesdays) Lobby days for gun safety at the Rhode Island State Capitol
  • Jan 15-April 9 Exhibit Guns: Loaded Conversations at the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell.
  • Feb 28 (Thursday) MFOL new student Marlborough chapter kick off meeting at the Marlborough Library.
  • Mar 28 (Thursday) MA Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence Peace MVP Award.

Gun Violence Prevention Across the Nation

The ins and outs of H.R.8 for universal backgrounds checks.

Diane Feinstein introduces S.66, Assault Weapons Ban.

The role of domestic violence often missed in mass shootings.

Stanford University research shows strict gun laws correlates to lower firearm deaths in youth.

University of Michigan receives largest NIH grant in 20 years for gun violence study on firearm safety.

The argument for or against federal universal background checks.

Massachusetts and Other States

Boston Mayor Walsh supports a law requiring doctors to ask patients about gun safety.

Maine Governor Mills not interested in universal backgrounds checks.

NH legislature expects three gun reform bills; and includes closing the gun sale loophole.

Some NH lawmakers refuse to accept the ban of firearms on the House floor.

Families from Sandy Hook, Connecticut win a legal proceeding against Infowars, Alex Jones.

California may consider a bill to limit firearm purchases to one per month.

In Florida, stand your ground laws expand to police officers.

In Ohio, a kindergartner brings a gun to school.

Penn State Theatre creates #HereToo production for gun violence survivors and activists.

South Carolina legislatures want to impose a 7% gun tax to fund school resource officers.

Utah considers gun storage laws to reduce suicide.

Washington looks at assault weapons and ghost gun bans in 2019.

The NRA Rounds

NRA accused of campaign violations supporting Republicans.

CEO of Sig Sauer in New Hampshire faces prison in Germany for alleged illegal arms deals.

Stop Handgun Violence Applauds House of Representatives for Filing H.R. 8, Background Check Bill for All Gun Sales

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives, led by Speaker Pelosi and House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chair Rep. Mike Thompson, filed H.R. 8, a bill which would require background checks on all firearm sales.

The following is a statement of support from Stop Handgun Violence (SHV):

“We applaud the efforts of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Mike Thompson, additional House co-sponsors and the thousands of advocates who have worked around the country for this bill” said John Rosenthal, founder of Stop Handgun Violence. “Thirty-one states do not currently require background checks for all gun sales.  If passed, this law would save countless lives by preventing dangerous individuals from accessing firearms without inconveniencing law-abiding gun owners. It would prevent those who are a proven risk to themselves and others, like individuals convicted of violent felonies and domestic abusers from purchasing firearms without detection. Background checks are supported by 97% of Americans including the majority of gun owners and I applaud the new Congress for prioritizing this life-saving and proven gun safety initiative.”

“We are extremely energized by this new bill, and we hope that this is just a first step of many to strengthen our nation’s gun safety laws. We look forward to passage of this bill through the House and hope that the Senate will also respond to the will of the overwhelming majority of Americans.”

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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 towww.stophandgunviolence.org