- Right now @clgoddard is delivering 35K signatures to Congress pre-State of the Union to push for action on #guns http://t.co/C04i0QaY
- What can you do to help make a safer nation? Consider volunteering time & talent. Details here: http://t.co/hG1SKqJL
- If you've lost a loved one to gun violence, plz share your story: http://t.co/vSjqVbmI
- Tell Congress we want action to reduce #gun violence. Help reach the goal of 30,000 emails by midnight: http://t.co/GdNtznlD
- Only hours left to make as big an impact as possible. Plz RT to help reach goal of 30K emails to Congress: http://t.co/GdNtznlD
- #NowIsTheTime to rally friends & followers to reach our goal of 30,000 emails to Congress in the next few hours: http://t.co/GdNtznlD
- #NowIsTheTime to make Congress hear our demand to reduce #gun violence. Help send 30K emails by midnight http://t.co/GdNtznlD
- Make sure Congress hears our demand for action to reduce #gun violence. Let's send 30,000 emails over the next 48 hours http://t.co/GdNtznlD
- Make our voices heard. Help send 30,000 emails urging Senate Judiciary Committee members to act on #gun reform http://t.co/GdNtznlD
- #NowIsTheTime to rally friends, family & followers to help send 30,000 emails to Congress in the next 48 hours: http://t.co/GdNtznlD
- Nationwide call-to-action: Help rally friends & family to send 30,000 emails to Congress in the next 48 hours: http://t.co/GdNtznlD
- President, Gabby Giffords & Mark Kelly say #NowIsTheTime for #gun reform. Tell Congress you agree: http://t.co/NJBj2Vt8 http://t.co/bWHypNuY
Preventing Another Tucson: It's the Guns
Jan 12, 2011
Brady Campaign President Paul Helmke today issued the following statements:
1) Contrary to media reports, the gun store that dealt with the Tucson gunman was not required to sell him guns and ammunition just because he passed a computer background check. According to ABC News, the gun store owner who sold the gunman the Glock 19, said he debated whether he should sell him the gun, but felt he had no choice.
“While the Brady background check system is designed to stop “prohibited purchasers” listed in the background check databases from buying guns from federally licensed dealers, no gun store or dealer needs permission to deny someone they suspect of being unstable or irresponsible from purchasing a gun. There are no laws requiring gun dealers to sell guns to apparently dangerous people.
“Even the gun industry has recognized that dealers should not sell guns to suspicious customers. This entire situation is an example of how loosely we regulate lethal weapons in this country, and why we need to strengthen our laws to do what’s sensible to protect the public.”
2) There is no good reason for allowing the general public to purchase high-capacity magazines that were designed for military combat.
“The 30-round clip that the shooter used allowed him to kill more people in Tucson than were killed in the gunfight at the O.K. Corral. The Brady Campaign whole-heartedly supports the legislation that soon will be introduced by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy and Sen. Frank Lautenberg to restrict the sale of magazines that hold more than 10 rounds.
“The Tucson gunman was tackled when his 30-round magazine emptied and he attempted to insert a new one. If that had happened after 20 fewer bullets had been fired, more lives could have been saved.
“When politicians engage in vitriolic speech and gun-themed attacks, that’s a concern. However, the gravest irresponsibility flows from political leaders’ failure to enact laws that would have made it harder for this gunman to carry out mass murder. The restriction on ammunition clips was a part of the expired assault weapons ban. Reinstating the restrictions on high-capacity clips is simply common sense.”
3) We need a national conversation about how to prevent gun violence.
“After every major American gun violence tragedy, elected leaders, the media, and the public seem surprised by how weak the laws on guns are and do hasty post-mortems about what might have been done to prevent the particular tragedy. Doesn’t it make sense for us to more deeply educate ourselves about gun laws and solutions before tragedy strikes?
"While polls are now indicating that more Americans back stricter gun laws, when specific gun laws are proposed, support is higher, generally in the 75 - 85 percent range, with even gun owners supporting measures by strong margins.
“We have heard some suggest that Congress - primarily out of fear of the gun lobby - won’t pass, or even seriously consider, new gun laws. The question we encourage the media and the public to ask is not whether Congress will, but whether Congress should, make new laws to help protect the safety of the American people. Congress needs to do just that.”
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The Brady Campaign is the nation's largest citizens' lobby to prevent gun violence. We represent the voice of the overwhelming majority of Americans who are tired of living with the constant tragedy of gun violence and are in favor of strong laws and policies that will save lives. We are the light that exposes politicians who are putting the American people at risk, empowering the American people to hold them accountable for decisions and actions that undermine public safety.
We are driven by the focused vision of a nation where all Americans are safe at home, at work, at school, and in our communities.
Dan Gross is the President of the Brady Campaign and the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. A photo and more information about Dan Gross is available here.
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