Stop Handgun Violence, March for Our Lives: Boston, and 50 Miles More Partner to Help in the Effort to Stop Gun Violence across the country  

Boston, MA– Today, Massachusetts non-profit Stop Handgun Violence, March For Our Lives: Boston,  and national youth-led gun reform movement 50 Miles More announce the launch of a 50 mile march across Massachusetts. The 50 Miles More: Massachusetts march, led by local youth activists, will begin in Worcester on August 23rd and end August 26th with a rally at Smith & Wesson in Springfield at 12:00pm. The march and rally aim to keep gun reform issues in the national spotlight and to draw attention to the fact that young people feel unsafe in their neighborhoods, classrooms, movie theaters, restaurants and homes.

Students are targeting Smith & Wesson for their role in producing and selling weapons used in many mass shootings – including the tragedies in Parkland, San Bernardino, and Aurora – and for their weapons’ contribution to daily gun violence in communities across the country. The students ask that Smith & Wesson:

1. Cease the manufacturing and distribution of all weapons outlawed under the 2004 Massachusetts Assault Weapons Ban, including weapons under Attorney General Maura Healey’s copycat weapon ban enforcement.
2. Donate $5,000,000 to research violence caused by Smith & Wesson weapons and monitor illegal use of Smith & Wesson weapons to offset the lack of federal research funding for the gun violence epidemic.

“This 50 Mile walk is about accountability,” said student organizer Vikiana Petit-Homme.“Smith & Wesson continues to profit from guns used in horrific mass shootings and daily gun violence in our communities. We have had enough. We are demanding that they work with us to be a part of the solution, not the problem.”

“I am proud to live in the state with the lowest gun deaths in the nation,” said student organizer Jack Torres. “I am proud of our laws, our legislature, and governor for their stances on this issue. But what I am not proud of is that I live in the state that produces guns that are responsible for taking the lives of people all throughout this country. It is high time manufacturers join the conversation about ending gun violence. We’re bringing the fight to them because we have had enough. ”

“We are so excited to be working with the students of Massachusetts on their march,” said 50 Miles More co-founder and Executive Director Katie Eder. “This movement is incredibly powerful because the youth leading it are smart, strategic, and connected. Every step we take, we take toward the same goal — to making this country safer for everyone in it. That is why we launched #50more in #50states and why we will continue to fight tirelessly together to keep the momentum going on this movement.”

“We are proud to support the efforts of the students of 50 Miles More Massachusetts” said John Rosenthal, founder of Stop Handgun Violence.  “For too long, Smith & Wesson has benefitted from Massachusetts’s effective gun violence prevention laws while also exporting firearms, not legal here in the Commonwealth, that are used in mass shootings like Parkland and daily gun violence in other communities across the country.”

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Students wishing to join the movement, can sign up to walk here: https://50milesmore.org/march-ma/

Adults may volunteer here: http://bit.ly/50mmmVolunteer

Sponsor a walker by donating here.

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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

March for Our Lives: Boston (MFOL Boston) is a Massachusetts based non-profit organization seeking to liberate communities from systemic gun violence and empower young people to be politically active. MFOL: Boston is a volunteer, student-led initiative including a coalition of students from a wide range of high schools, universities, and community youth organizations across Massachusetts. The organization engages in electoral politics and community organizing to encourage conversation and action against the gun violence epidemic in Massachusetts and in the United States.

50 Miles More is a national youth-led gun reform organization that began this spring when students from across Wisconsin marched from Madison to Janesville in a gun reform protest that gained international media attention. Taking inspiration from the 54-mile Selma to Montgomery march for civil rights, their four day, 50 mile march to Speaker Paul Ryan’s hometown was just the beginning. In the months since their march and rally in Janesville, 50 Miles More has been rallying their forces in communities across the country to take their #50More in #50States initiative nationwide. And this fall they are partnering with the leaders behind the National School Walkout to launch a multi-state Gen-Z voter engagement campaign to make sure that the politicians in office are truly representing the people they serve.

Stop Handgun Violence Response to Santa Fe High School Mass Shooting

Boston, MA– This morning, news of another horrific mass school shooting in Santa Fe Texas broke leaving at least 10 dead and an unknown number of students and teachers injured. According to the Gun Violence Archive this is the 35^thschool shooting where someone has been killed or injured this year and the 24^thschool shooting since the Parkland FL mass shooting on February 14, 2018.

In Texas, which has a gun death rate of 12.1 deaths per 100,000 population (compared to 3.5 per 100,000 population in MA), no criminal background check is required for private gun sales, including for military style assault weapons and high capacity ammunition magazines.  In addition, there is no limit on the number of firearms that can be purchased at one time and gun owners are not required to have a license, register their firearms, or report lost or stolen firearms.

“While the details of this horrific massacre continue to emerge, our hearts and thoughts are with victims of this attack and the Santa Fe community” said John Rosenthal, founder and chairman of Stop Handgun Violence. “While the shooter’s motives are still unclear, one thing is blatantly obvious: The time for action is long overdue. There is a mass shooting of four or more people every day in the United States. States, like Texas, with lax gun laws have more preventable gun violence than States with tougher gun laws.  Congress and the President’s unconscionable priority of unrestricted access to guns over the 35,000 lives lost each year and over 150,000 injuries from gun violence each year, has disastrous consequences. Unrestricted access to firearms in this country is a dangerous policy with brutal and endless consequences for the victims, families and communities that are all too frequently impacted.”

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

Stop Handgun Violence and Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence Applaud Law Enforcement Letter Opposing Concealed Carry Reciprocity

Boston, MA– Today, the International Chiefs of Police Association (IACP) and the Boston Police Department distributed a letter to Congress in opposition to the gun lobby’s proposed concealed carry reciprocity legislation that included over 470 chiefs of police from 39 states.

“We applaud Boston Police Commissioner William Evans and local law enforcement from around the Country for leading the fight against national concealed carry reciprocity,” said John Rosenthal, founder of Stop Handgun Violence. “Police chiefs are on the front lines and know that this dangerous gun industry inspired legislation would dismantle every effective state gun licensing law that Massachusetts and other states have proven to reduce and prevent gun injuries and deaths. Concealed carry reciprocity has already passed the US House of Representatives and if enacted by the US Senate, would create a race to the bottom for what few gun licensing laws exist, undermine local law enforcement and dramatically increase gun violence across the Country.”

“We commend the IACP for its leadership on this issue among the law enforcement community,” said Janet Goldenberg, chair of the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence. “Concealed carry reciprocity would weaken state level gun laws and endanger our communities. We hope that the Senate will hear and respect the voices of these 470 chiefs who put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe every day.”

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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 commonsense 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

The Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violencebrings together organizations and institutions across Massachusetts to address the epidemic of gun violence that plagues our communities and takes the lives of so many of our citizens, in suburbs, in rural areas, and certainly in cities. Through education, advocacy and holding those in power accountable, the Coalition works to bring about change that will lessen the likelihood of someone you love becoming a victim of gun violence.

Stop Handgun Violence Lauds AG’s Win in Assault Weapon Ban Case;

Urges Participation in Tomorrow’s Town Hall for Our Lives Events

BOSTON – April 6, 2018 – The US District Court’s rejection today of a challenge to Massachusetts’ Assault Weapons Ban adds encouragement to growing support for common sense gun laws on the eve of “town hall” events Bay State teens are holding with elected officials across the state tomorrow.

“As students from Cape Cod to the Berkshires prepare to gather at Town Hall for Our Lives events this weekend, they can take renewed inspiration from District Court Judge William Young’s rejection of the gun lobby’s challenge to our state’s ban on assault weapons. This legal win is absolutely huge for the people of Massachusetts and for everyone across the country concerned about gun violence,” Stop Handgun Violence Founder John Rosenthal said. “I am extremely proud of Attorney General Healey for her courageous leadership on this issue, and for other Massachusetts elected officials who have helped save countless lives and endless grief by supporting this and other common sense gun safety laws in Massachusetts.”

The court decision comes a day before students, members of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation, and other elected officials gather at five Town Halls in Pittsfield, Millbury, Lowell, Natick and Roxbury as part of a strengthened movement to thwart gun violence in the wake of the Parkland, Florida school shooting in February. See Town Hall times and locations here

“Because of laws like the Assault Weapons Ban, urban Massachusetts is the model for effective and replicable gun laws and regulations, resulting in the lowest gun death rate in the nation,” Rosenthal said. “Tomorrow, students across the state will hold their elected officials accountable for continued strengthening of legal protections against gun violence. This passionate student movement is exactly what’s needed, and we are proud to support their events and partner with them in an effort to save lives and create lasting change.”

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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

Students across the Commonwealth plan

Town Hall for Our Lives events on Saturday, April 7th

Boston, MA– Inspired by the high school students in Parkland, Florida, students across the Commonwealth are planning town halls with elected officials on Saturday, April 7, as part of the Town Hall for Our Lives nationwide effort. All events are open to the public and press. The Massachusetts students are supported by March for Our Lives Boston and partnered with Stop Handgun Violence.

“We may not be old enough to vote; we are certainly old enough to voice our opinions,” said District 3 and 6 student organizer and Charlotte Lowell of Andover High School. “This movement will continue at the Town Hall for Our Lives, where we will to learn and mobilize to create the change our classrooms and communities deserve.”

“On average, 96 Americans are killed a day by guns. Seven of those are children. Those people deserve better. They deserve a country that cares about them more than the ‘right’ to own weapons of war,” said District 7 and 8 student organizer Vikiana Petit-Homme of Boston Latin Academy “We must fight for every life that is lost senselessly to guns; we must fight for the communities of color that lose a member almost daily due to guns, but are routinely ignored in their pleas for help.”

The Town Halls will include participation by both federal and state legislators and city councilpersons, including: US Representatives Katherine Clark, Stephen F. Lynch, Jim McGovern and Mike Capuano; State Senators Brownsberger, Hinds, L’Italien, Moore, Spilka; State Representatives Connolly, Durant, Ehrlich, Farley-Bouvier, Finn, Higgins, Lewis, Linsky, Matias, Michlewitz, Ryan, Stanley; Boston City Council members Pressley, and Essaibi George; and a digital contribution from Congressman Moulton.

“Across the state, students are creating these opportunities to ask representatives questions and be a part of the movement to end gun violence,” said student organizer Maddy Art of Mount Greylock Regional High School. “Town halls are vital to active democracy and a great way to get involved!”

“I was in the 4th grade when the Sandy Hook shooting happened. I was in the 9th grade when Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting happened. Since I heard about Sandy Hook, I have had a fear that this will happen to me or my little sisters. They are 8 and 13. I am tired of being afraid,” said District 2 student organizer Jaylin Gemmel of Nipmuc Regional. “The adults that are leading this country have shown that they are not going to change. It’s time to show them that it is the only option.”

“I’ve been in this movement for over 20 years and I love the energy and determination the youth of the Country and Commonwealth are bringing to this effort,” said John Rosenthal, founder of Stop Handgun Violence. “Like other student movements, including the fight for civil rights and an end to the war in Vietnam, a passionate student movement to end preventable gun violence is exactly what is needed to hold elected officials accountable and change state and national gun laws. We are proud to support their events and we hope that together we will save lives and create lasting change.”

All events held April 7th:

• District 1: Robert Boland Theater, 1350 West St, Pittsfield, MA 7:00-9:00pm
• District 2: Millbury Public Library- 128 Elm St, Millbury, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
• Districts 3 & 6: Joint town hall at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lowell, 657 Middlesex St, Lowell, MA 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
• Districts 4 & 5: Joint town hall at the Kennedy Middle School at 165 Mill St, Natick, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 pm
• District 7 & 8: Joint town hall at the Bolling Building, 2300 Washington St, Roxbury, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

For more on the Town Hall For Our Lives national event, visit the TownHallProject.com

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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