Dec 19, 2012
“We started a conversation with the American people calling for common sense solutions to gun violence in America. Today, President Obama used the power of his office to seek solution to gun violence in America.”
(Washington, DC) – Today, the Brady Campaign commends the leadership by President Barack Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden, in the critical effort announced today to address gun violence.
“The urgency with which the President is taking this issue on is a tremendous step forward. We are hopeful that the task force being led by Vice President Biden will produce real results in real time and we will do everything we can to be constructive partners in that effort. It is vitally important that we keep our children safe and as the President said today, nothing else matters,” said Dan Gross, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
Yesterday, the Brady Campaign brought family members and victims to a White House meeting with Senior Administration officials where there was a renewed commitment to action. Once again, the President followed up on that meeting, and his previous statements, with his announcement of his task force.
The more than 20 family members and victims of mass shootings across America were in Washington, DC to meet with leaders in Congress and the White House, calling on them to seriously address gun violence in this nation. The group also released a letter asking leaders and the American public for a meaningful dialogue and swift action. The letter is signed by family members who have lost loved ones to gun violence in America.
“As a mother who lost her daughter to gun violence in Aurora, I understand deeply what the families in Sandy Hook are feeling. I came to Washington because my daughter, as well as 11 others in Aurora and 27 in Sandy Hook no longer have a voice. I am here to speak for them now. There must be immediate change to gun policy in America. We should not have to live in fear to go to the grocery store, watch a movie, go to church or send our children to school,” said Sandy Phillips, mother of Jessica Redfield Ghawi.
The letter asks that all Americans come together to hold our elected leaders accountable to do everything they can to enact sensible solutions. The letter reads in part:
“We are Republicans and Democrats, from “blue states” and “red states.” We live in cities, suburbs and rural areas. We are from many different walks of life. Some of us own guns. Some of us don’t.
“We know that the overwhelming majority of Americans support sensible solutions that would have prevented many of our tragedies, and can prevent many more every day.”
All Americans are encouraged to join these families by signing the petition. It can be found at http://wearebetterthanthis.org/
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The mission of the Brady organization is to create a safer America for all of us that will lead to the dramatic reduction in gun deaths and injuries that we all seek.
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.
For more insight on gun violence prevention, follow Brady’s Blog, Facebook Page and Twitter Account.
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