Brady Campaign Endorses Kirsten Gillibrand for U.S. Senate

Aug 11, 2010

Washington, D.C. - Leaders of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence today announced the organization’s endorsement of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) for election to the United States Senate.

“In less than two years on the job, Senator Gillibrand has already become a leader in the United States Senate, voting against the gun lobby’s extremist agenda and introducing strong, sensible legislation to make it harder for dangerous people to get dangerous weapons,” said Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign.  “We want the people of New York to know that we enthusiastically support Senator Gillibrand’s campaign for the U.S. Senate.”

Michael Wolkowitz, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Brady organization and a lngtime New York City entrepreneur and activist, said Senator Gillibrand has shown a genuine commitment to reducing gun violence.

“She is someone that I consider a strong ally who I trust to do the right thing when it comes to strengthening gun laws in this country,” Wolkowitz said.  “Senator Gillibrand is standing up to the gun lobby and fighting for the safety of New York families.”

“I am honored to have the support of the Brady Campaign,” Senator Gillibrand said. “The Brady Campaign has been at the forefront of the effort to rid our streets of illegal guns and keep our communities free of gun violence. I look forward to continue working together to make New York safe for our families for years to come.”

Some political observers and New York journalists questioned Gillibrand’s record on guns when she was appointed by New York’s Governor to fill the remainder of the term of former U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton, when Mrs. Clinton was confirmed as the U.S. Secretary of State.  But Helmke noted that she has established a solid record on sensible gun laws as a U.S. Senator, voting against extreme gun lobby amendments on numerous occasions, and teaming with Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) in authoring important legislation to combat illegal gun trafficking.

Two-thirds of guns used in gun-related crime in New York come from out of state. Senator Gillibrand and Congresswoman McCarthy’s legislation increases jail sentences for gun traffickers, straw purchasers and kingpins of criminal networks, and empowers law enforcement with the tools and resources they need to keep criminals behind bars, without infringing on the  constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners. 

“On common sense gun laws, she truly represents the vast majority of New Yorkers,” Helmke said, “and she will be a strong voice for reducing gun violence in the years to come if she is returned to the United States Senate.” 

Watch Senator Gillibrand announce the Gun Trafficking Prevention Act with the Brady Campaign here: http://www.kirstengillibrand.com/multimedia/video?id=0012.

###

As the nation's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign, with its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, works to enact and enforce sensible gun laws, regulations and public policies. The Brady Campaign is devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities

Dan Gross is the President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. A photo and more information about Dan Gross is available here.
For continuing insight and comments on the gun issue, read The Brady Blog

Brady News Releases are available via RSS