Stop Handgun Violence Joins March for Our Lives 4th Anniversary Event in Washington

Washington, DC – John Rosenthal, founder of Stop Handgun Violence, is in Washington, DC today to join the March for Our Lives for gun violence prevention on the 4th Anniversary of the record breaking first march in 2018. Rosenthal will join other national leaders delivering a message to elected officials to take action to stem the epidemic of gun violence in America.

While state legislatures have taken action to reduce gun violence, Congress has not passed meaningful gun violence laws – even after the tragic massacres of Americans in Sandy Hook, Parkland and Las Vegas. The mass shooting in Parkland, Florida inspired the March for Our Lives in 2018.

Rosenthal can speak to how states like Massachusetts have reduced gun deaths by 40% in the last 25 years by passing sensible legislation, and can serve as a model for the rest of the country.

 

John Rosenthal is in Washington, DC and available for interviews today.

Details:

When: March 24th, 2022 2:00pm-4:00pm

Where: Capitol Mall

Who: John Rosenthal, founder of Stop Handgun Violence

What: Media availability to discuss 4 years of inaction by congress since 2018 March for Our Lives

 

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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

Now >100 mass shootings in 2022

Gun Violence Archive reports : With seven mass shootings yesterday and overnight, the U.S. has now reached over 100 mass shootings in 2022. The complete list here.

Shootings last weekend:

  • One dead and 28 injured at an Arkansas car show.
  • In Miami, 5 injured in shootings on Ocean Dr.
  • Three dead and multiple injured at a hotel in North Carolina.
  • Texas Roundup: Four shot in Austin at an SXSW conference; 10 people wounded and one dead in Dallas; and a birthday party in Houston leaves one teen dead.
  • In Virginia, 17 wounded and 4 dead after multiple shootings over a 24-hour span.
  • In Milwaukee, 4 people injured at a party.

 

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Celebrate Women History Month

Celebrating women who have cleared a path for MORE women to move forward.

#WomenHistoryMonth

In our Newsfeed:

  • In Georgia, a 16-year old arrested for fatally shooting an employee at a car dealership.
  • In Iowa, a drive-by shooting at a high school leaves one teen dead, two injured and 6 teens arrested.
  • In Kansas, a former police officer was sentenced for a 2019 fatal shooting of a Black man backing up his truck into his garage.
  • In Rhode Island, a former candidate for state representative was arrested for illegal firearms possession – over 200 stashed and hidden.
  • In Texas, a 16-year old is shot and injured at a Fort Worth gas station.

 

Our billboard space lease at Dalton Street garage has expired.

As we search for a new location, here are some of our favorites at Dalton and Mass Pike.

 

Gun Violence is the leading cause of death for Black males under 55.

In case you missed it:

  • John Rosenthal responds to the continued rise in gun sales in Massachusetts.
  • Jury in the Ahmaud Arbery federal trial found all 3 men guilty of hate crimes.
  • Judge rules that the Crumbley’s will stand trial for involuntary manslaughter in the Michigan HS shooting.
  • JAMA reports out that Stand Your Ground Laws caused increased homicides and should be reconsidered to reduce unnecessary violent deaths.

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Remington settlement an important milestone.

The Sandy Hook families achieve a major victory against Remington Firearms with a $73 million settlement.

 

On Our Radar:

  • Giffords annual report card issued Massachusetts an A-. We can do more, starting with ghost guns.
  • Illinois gun manufacturer, WEE1 Tactical, continues to target youth with their JR15 weapon using irresponsible marketing.
  • Change the Ref, March for our Lives and Guns Down America launched a new campaign, www.shockmarket.org
  • HR.748 Ethans Law currently has 204 official cosponsors. The magic number is 218 for the House to put it to the floor for a vote.

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Stop Handgun Violence responds to news of Sandy Hook Family settlement with Firearm Manufacturer Remington Arms

Boston, MA – Yesterday, the families of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting settled with firearm manufacturer, Remington Arms. Remington Arms owns Bushmaster, the company that manufactured the firearm used at Sandy Hook. The firearm is still available for sale in most states.

“People don’t possess the gene to bury our children and ever be the same,” said John Rosenthal, founder of Stop Handgun Violence. “No amount of money will bring loved ones back to the families involved in this lawsuit, but we applaud them for holding the uniquely unregulated gun industry accountable for preventable mass shootings. This lawsuit will help prevent the next massacre and the more than 100 gun deaths every day in America. In 2005, Congress and President Bush gave the gun industry immunity from lawsuits which emboldened gun makers, including Remington, to intentionally and recklessly market particularly deadly military style assault weapons. These weapons are used regularly in the daily mass shootings of 4 or more people.”

“This settlement is an important milestone that should give hope to victims of all gun violence to continue to sue and force gun makers to act responsibly. Gun industry executives have chosen extreme greed and profits over public safety and even their own family’s lives. It’s about time they be held accountable and pay for getting away with murder and causing endless grief felt by millions of Americans as a result of preventable gun violence.”

 

 

 

 

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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

Remember Parkland

Yesterday was the fourth anniversary of the Parkland Massacre. Valentines Day will always be a reminder of the 17 lives senselessly gunned down that day. We honor their lives and survivors with action. Here are two bills to support:

  • MA bills: H.4303/S.2607 An Act to Prevent Mass Shootings are in MA Judiciary Committee
  • Congressional bills HR.825/S.281 Gun Violence Prevention Research Act reintroduced for 5 year CDC funding $250M

Our watch list:

  • More Guns than People @ 4PM Tues 2/15: Join Change the Ref & Florida International University online; register here.
  • Bullet Proof – What Americans will do to feel safe in an era of school mass shootings premiered on PBS Independent Lens.
  • Previously released documentary: Parkland Rising 

 

 

 

 

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Massachusetts Ranks #49

New data was released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on gun deaths per capita in each state. It’s no surprise that states with strong gun laws and lower gun ownership ranked last for gun deaths per capita.

 

In the News:

  • It’s no accident that Massachusetts consistently ranks at or near the bottom. “The evidence could not be more compelling that states with fewer guns and strong gun laws have strikingly lower rates of gun death.”
  • 15 Attorney Generals challenge the gun manufacturers using the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA).
  • Amicus brief supporting Mexico vs. Smith & Wesson, in regards to exporting guns and resulting deaths in Mexico of U.S. arms, was filed in D.C. last week.
  • The majority of Americans view right-wing militia groups as a threat.
  • NRA revenue drops to record low as legal fees continue to escalate.
  • Amir Locke fatally shot by Minneapolis police after a no-knock search warrant.

On our Social Media: Gun Violence Survivors Week 

Joaquin’s image is often used in his father’s art while advocating for an end to gun violence. Learn more at www.changetheref.org.

  • “This is the closest (thing) to true justice.” Shaundelle Brooks, mother of Akilah killed in the Waffle House mass shooting in 2018.
  • Greg Gibson’s story and his advocacy after his son Galen was fatally shot.
  • Nine actions for gun violence prevention in honor of Ilyse Levine-Kanji grandfather.
  • Survivors Empowered and Giffords share a valuable resource for survivors & allies alike.

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Another chance to support An Act to Prevent Mass Shootings

Massachusetts residents: Be sure to send your message of support for An Act to Stop Mass Shootings today: An Act to Stop Mass Shootings. Committees will be making key decisions about the future of proposed bills by Wednesday.

In the News:

  • Community gun violence prevention programs have positive results in Boston.
  • One person died after a gun shooting at the Braintree South Shore Mall.
  • In San Jose, gun owners must insure their firearms.
  • Illinois gun manufacturing marketing military-style weapons called the JR-15 to children.
  • Suspect in hostage situation at a Texas synagogue purchased his gun by private sale.
  • A Virginia mother charged for threatening the school board with bringing all her loaded guns from home over school mask mandate.
  • A child is shot every hour in the U.S.A.
  • Religious organizations are essential in community action for gun violence prevention.

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Action Alert!

Did you know that assault weapons made in Massachusetts were used in the Parkland school shooting, the Aurora movie theater shooting and many others? This week, we joined with victims of these shootings to ask our state legislators to prohibit the manufacture of assault weapons in our state. These weapons cannot be sold to civilians in our state but have been manufactured here and sold to civilians in other states. BUT we have the power to stop the flow of weapons into other states with the Act to Stop Mass Shootings.

We’re reaching out because there are only a few days left before legislative committees must make decisions about bills and we want to make sure our bill is voted favorably out of committee. Join us telling state legislators to report an Act to Stop Mass Shootings favorably out of committee here.

We have just a few days left to tell our legislators to stop exporting terror. Join us by sending an email to your legislator.

Thank you for taking action today.

Sincerely,

Zoe Grover

Executive Director of Stop Handgun Violence

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