News – Page 33 – Stop Handgun Violence Archives

AN OPEN LETTER ASKING GOVERNOR CHARLIE BAKER

A COALITION OF NEARLY 30 GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION ORGANIZATIONS SIGN AN OPEN LETTER ASKING GOVERNOR CHARLIE BAKER TO SUPPORT ATTORNEY GENERAL MAURA HEALEY’S ENFORCEMENT OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN

NEWTOWN, CT & BOSTON, MA – Last month, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey took a very bold step by announcing that she will be stepping up enforcement of her state’s long-standing assault weapons ban. Massachusetts is one of just seven states with such a ban, but for many years, the gun industry has been defying the ban by manufacturing copycat assault weapons that are nearly indistinguishable from the weapons used in Orlando, Newtown, San Bernardino, Aurora, and other mass shootings. There were 10,000 of them sold in Massachusetts last year alone.

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, who initially supported Attorney General Healey’s action, is now starting to question the AG’s right to enforce the intent of the copycat provision of the assault weapons ban. Therefore, gun violence prevention organizations are sending the following open letter to the Governor:

Dear Governor Baker,

We are writing to ask you to stand with Attorney General Maura Healey in her effort to enforce the Massachusetts assault weapons ban, which has been in place for 18 years.

As you know, AR-15 style assault weapons have killed hundreds of people in mass shootings across the country, including in Orlando, Newtown, Baton Rouge, San Bernardino, and Aurora. In the wake of these tragedies, we’ve witnessed too many empty expressions of sympathy, and too few elected officials who have had the courage to stand up to the gun lobby and actually do something.

In Massachusetts, Attorney General Healey has quickly and decisively curbed the sale of these deadly military-style weapons. She should be applauded for carrying out the will of the people.

Let us be very clear: if we prevent the Attorney General from taking action against the sale of copycat assault weapons, the ban means nothing. We might as well get rid of it.

We were deeply disappointed to see you question the Attorney General’s action, which has finally given Massachusetts residents the full protection of the law.

Claims that her notice is unclear or that the Attorney General lacks authority to enforce this state law are the products of a wealthy and powerful gun lobby that does not speak for the vast majority of Americans, who overwhelmingly support banning assault weapons.

We aren’t talking about hunting rifles or handguns here. We’re talking about weapons of war that have been used — time and again — to commit acts of mass atrocity. If you do not stand with Attorney General Healey, you do not stand with us.

Sincerely,

Brave New Films

Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition

Ceasefire Oregon

Ceasefire Pennsylvania

Chelsea Collaborative

Colorado Ceasefire

CREDO Action

Delaware Coalition Against Gun Violence

End the Madness

Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence

Gays Against Guns

Grandmothers Against Gun Violence

Greenwich Council Against Gun Violence

GunControlToday

Hoosiers Concerned About Gun Violence

MA Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence

MomsRising.org

National Cathedral Gun Violence Prevention Group

National Domestic Violence Hotline

National Medical Council on Gun Violence

Newtown Action Alliance

North Carolinians Against Gun Violence

Northwest Corner Committee for Gun Violence Prevention

Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence

One Pulse for America

Parents for Public Safety

Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence

States United to Prevent Gun Violence

Stop Handgun Violence

The Campaign to Keep Guns off Campus

Violence Policy Center

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The Newtown Action Alliance (www.newtownaction.org) is a grassroots organization formed after the tragic shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School. It works to make America’s children, families, and all citizens safer through legislative and cultural change that will reduce gun violence in our nation.

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

“A Gun Show For a Worthy Cause”

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“Finally, a gun show for a worthy cause,” wrote the NY Daily News yesterday, referencing the Concert Across America to End Gun Violence. Yesterday, the Concert Across America to End Gun Violence announced its anchor concert in Manhattan at the Beacon Theatre. This concert will be one of over 100 concerts nationwide. Jackson Browne, Rosanne Cash, joined by Marc Cohn and Harlem’s Gospel for Teens in the Beacon concert line-up, will join hundreds of artists across the country to perform on September 25th to remember America’s 117,480 victims off gun violence–a number that is growing every day.

As artists from across the country band together, we hope you will add your voice, too. It is not to late to volunteer for a local event or to organize a concert of your own. If you’re in Boston, be sure to get your tickets for the Brighton Music Hall concert. Want to see what other cities have planned? Check out the full list of events on our Facebook page or on the interactive map. If you’re interested in attending the Beacon Theatre concert, purchase tickets here.

ARTISTS AND ACTIVISTS BAND TOGETHER FOR THE CONCERT ACROSS AMERICA TO END GUN VIOLENCE AT OVER 100 VENUES NATIONWIDE ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2016

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Jackson Browne, Rosanne Cash, Marc Cohn,

and Harlem’s Gospel for Teens to perform at the Beacon Theatre on Sept. 25

New York, NY – (Aug. 9-, 2016) – From the Beacon Theatre in Manhattan to the Top of the Standard in Los Angeles to Lola’s Trailer Park in Fort Worth, TX, musicians are banding together for The Concert Across America to End Gun Violence on Sunday, September 25th. Jackson Browne, Rosanne Cash, Marc Cohn and Harlem’s Gospel for Teens will headline the concert scheduled for the Beacon Theatre on Sept. 25. Tickets go on sale Friday, August 12 at 12:00pm at all Ticketmaster locations. #ConcertAcrossAmerica to #EndGunViolence.

Spearheaded by Massachusetts-based Stop Handgun Violence (SHV), Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence, and dozens of other organizations committed to reducing gun violence, this nationwide effort will feature a diverse array of artists performing at venues ranging from churches and school gymnasiums to honky-tonks, hotel rooftops and theatres.

From the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, CA to the Brighton Music Hall in Boston, MA, artists will be performing to give voice to the more than five hundred thousand Americans who have been murdered by a firearm since the mass shooting at the University of Texas on Aug. 1, 1966.

SHV Founder John Rosenthal said “In the midst of America’s epidemic of gun violence that results in 90 deaths, over 200 injuries and a mass shooting every day, this powerful coast-to-coast concert and organizing effort will raise awareness and – very importantly – get out the vote on gun violence prevention in the November elections and beyond.”

For more information: www.ConcertAcrossAmerica.org
#ConcertAcrossAmerica to #EndGunViolence.

CONTACT: RememberSept25@gmail.com

Join us in supporting Attorney General Healey

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This week, Attorney General Maura Healey has faced heavy pushback including sexist and homophobic slurs after announcing on July 20 that she would enforce the assault weapons ban in Massachusetts. “We will do everything we can to prevent the kinds of tragedies here that have occurred in places like Orlando, San Bernardino, Newtown and Aurora,” Healey said during her announcement. With 116,864 victims of gun violence since Sandy Hook, this kind of law enforcement is needed more than ever.

Healey’s notice clarified that any weapon with a similar internal operating system to a banned name brand assault weapon is likewise banned. We are proud that Attorney General Healey is taking a stand against all combat-style weapons, regardless of minor differences or industrial red tape.

We hope you will show your support by signing this thank-you letter to Attorney Gen. Healey. Also, you can add your name to this petition, which calls on Governor Charlie Baker to support Attorney Gen. Healey’s actions.

Stop Handgun Violence Supports MA Attorney General Maura Healey’s Ban of Copycat Assault Weapons

Boston, MA – Stop Handgun Violence (SHV) Founder John Rosenthal today praised Attorney General Maura Healy’s efforts to sharpen the Commonwealth’s existing prohibition on assault weapons.

“In the wake of the Orlando mass shooting at Pulse Night Club, Aurora CO, San Bernardino CA and more than 1,000 mass shootings of four or more Americans with assault weapons and handguns since the massacre of first graders and their teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School, AG Healey has clarified what constitutes a copycat weapon under the assault weapon prohibition in Massachusetts,” Rosenthal said “As the lead advocate for the 2004 permanent ban on assault weapons in the Commonwealth signed into law by Gov. Mitt Romney, it was clearly the intent to include all military style rifles and pistols that meet certain conditions, regardless of the make or brand. It’s just common sense that the current assault weapons ban, which includes the Colt AR 15, should also cover the Bushmaster and Smith and Wesson AR 15, as well as any other weapon with similar features regardless of the manufacturer or name.”

“These are weapons of war that have no use other than to kill a large number of people quickly without having to reload,” Rosenthal continued. “The AR 15 assault rifle has become the weapon of choice for mass shooters and the 223-caliber ammunition is specifically designed to inflict maximum soft tissue damage. The exit wound from an AR 15 is approximately 50 times larger than the entry wound. Each first grader at Sandy Hook received 3-11 rounds and many of the children’s parents had to identify their 6 and 7 year olds by their clothing because their small riddled bodies were indistinguishable. It’s outrageous that the gun lobby opposes a ban on these killing machines. Prohibiting copycat weapons from being sold is not only the intent of the original law, it is also common sense and we applaud AG Maura Healey’s actions this week.”

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Eventful Week in Congress Creates Momentum

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Although the House sit-in ended with a discouraging adjournment until after July 4th, states are starting to take their own action on the issue of gun violence. Governor David Ige of Hawaii just signed a bill requiring gun owners to enroll in an FBI database, becoming the first state to do so. Upholding the importance of responsible gun ownership in Hawaii, this new system will alert the FBI when the owner of a firearm is arrested for a criminal offense anywhere in the country.

In Colorado, Rep. Diana DeGette held a rally on the steps of the Denver City and County Building urging lawmakers not to “stand idly by.”

Meanwhile in Massachusetts, the Senate called on federal lawmakers on Monday to consider adopting MA’s model on firearm regulations. The rate of gun deaths in Massachusetts is one of the lowest in the nation.

We hope to see more states taking action on gun violence in the near future.

Congress Rejects Amendment, Senate Stages Sit-In

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113,168 Americans have been killed since the Sandy Hook shooting, and Congress still hasn’t taken action towards preventing gun violence. After Senator Chris Murphy held the floor for 15 hours last week, the Senate voted on 4 amendments to implement universal background checks and close the terror gap on Monday, but all were rejected.

Today, House democrats are staging a sit-in to demand a vote on gun laws, suggesting that the House does not break for vacation until they can agree on a bill. Join the conversation today using hashtags #NoBillNoBreak and #DisarmHate, and watch the sit-in live here.

Senate Vote Today

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The U.S. Senate will vote today on two important gun violence prevention laws.

The first, proposed by Sen. Feinstein of California, attempts to close the “terror gap” by prohibiting known and suspected terrorist from purchasing a gun. The second, proposed by Sen. Murphy of Connecticut, would require background checks for all gun sales and strengthen the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

These are common sense gun laws which will restrict guns from falling into the wrong hands.

Please join us today in calling both of our Senators and asking them to vote ‘yes’ to these amendments.

Senator Warren: (202) 224-4543

Senator Markey: (202) 224-2742

To reach a non-Massachusetts Senator: Call (202) 224-3121 for the Capital switchboard operator, who will connect you with whichever Senate office you request.

If you’d like some help on the call, here’s a script:

Hello, my name is __________, and I’m calling today from __(city)__ to ask you to vote YES on the Feinstein amendment to close the terror gap, and YES on the Murphy amendment that will strengthen the background check system. Thank you very much.

I urge the senator to support these bills that strengthen our gun laws and help keep guns out of the wrong hands.

“THE CONCERT ACROSS AMERICA – SANTA BARBARA” ANNOUNCES ITS OFFICIAL VENUE – THE ARLINGTON THEATRE

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(Santa Barbara, CA. – June 17, 2016) Last month The Concert Across America to End Gun Violence, announced an event for Sunday, September 25, 2016. Bringing together a network of organizations, activists and artists with group embraces the dual goals of keeping guns out of dangerous hands and making the issue of illegal guns top of mind for members of Congress, the presidential candidates, and the American people as they go to the polls in November 2016.

The Santa Barbara event, to be held at the historic The Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, will be one of many concerts held across the U.S., each connected via social media and online at RememberSept25.org.

Seating over 2000, The Arlington Theatre is the largest movie theater and principal performing arts venue in Santa Barbara, California, USA. In addition to regular screenings and artists, it is home to many events associated with the annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Designed in the Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival styles, The Arlington was built in 1931 on the former site of the Arlington Hotel and is located at 1317 State Street. The current structure was erected in 1930 as a showcase movie house for Fox West Coast Theaters. It was restored and expanded in the mid-1970s by Metropolitan Theaters Corporation, and opened in its current incarnation in 1976.

Lineups for the Santa Barbara concert and other events will be announced this summer. For more information about the Concert Across America to End Gun Violence, visit www.ConcertAcrossAmerica.org .

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The Concert Across America will take place on Sunday, Sept. 25, the day Congress designated in 2007 as a day of remembrance of murder victims. It will bring together a network of organizations, activists and artists with the dual goals of keeping guns out of dangerous hands and making the issue of illegal guns top of mind for members of Congress, the presidential candidates, and the American people as they go to the polls in November, 2016. For more information visit www.ConcertAcrossAmerica.org.

GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACTIVISTS RELEASE “HALLELUJAH” ON THE EVE OF THE NRA CONVENTION TO CALL ATTENTION TO AMERICA’S GUN DEATHS

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(BOSTON, MA, May 19, 2016) — The “Concert Across America to End Gun Violence,” a network of activists and artists across the country, will mark the start of the annual of NRA convention by releasing “Hallelujah,” a video on YouTube, calling attention to America’s high gun death rate.

The singers, Naked Voices, an a cappella group from the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB), teamed up with the Coalition Against Gun Violence in Santa Barbara to produce the video, which can be watched here:

Release of “Hallelujah” also coincides with the second anniversary of the deadly shooting in Isla Vista, California near UCSB that left 7 dead and 14 injured on May 23, 2014.

“Veronika loved music,” said Bob Weiss, father of one of the UCSB victims. “Remembering her, as well as all the victims of gun violence, with music strengthens our resolve to work toward a more harmonious future where our nation no longer suffers nearly 90 gun deaths every day.”

John Rosenthal, Founder of Stop Handgun Violence in Boston, said that tragedies like the Santa Barbara shooting happen all too often in the U.S.

“It’s a shame that Congress refuses to acknowledge that sensible gun laws could prevent mass shootings that seem to have become routine,” Rosenthal said. “It’s about time Congress stood up to the National Rifle Association (NRA) and approved a comprehensive background check to keep guns out of the hands of felons, domestic abusers and the dangerously mentally ill.”

Boston and New Orleans are the first two cities to announce participation in the “Concert Across America to End Gun Violence” — a series of musical events to be held on Sunday, September 25. Santa Barbara is expected to announce soon.

The song, “Hallelujah,” was licensed by the Santa Barbara organizers of the “Concert Across America to End Gun Violence,” and can be used by the media up until Sunday, Sept. 25 to promote the events and the cause of gun violence prevention (GVP) in America. The statistics set to music in “Hallelujah” can be found on the websites of the national gun violence prevention organizations.

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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 some of the most effective gun violence prevention laws and of 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