Gun Safety

Welcome to WofA’s Gun Safety Issue Group!  If you would like to be added to the Gun Safety email list, please contact: kamwjm@gmail.com

September 19th, 2019 From Martina Leinz, Brady Northern VA Chapter:

Dear GVP Community,
 
As our kids settle back into school this month, they should be worried about their algebra and history tests and not whether or not a mass shooter might charge into their classrooms.   Here are some upcoming actions you can take to prevent gun violence because it really is up to us.  We need to show Congress and the White House that we are not backing down in our quest to make America safer.
 
JOIN US AT THESE EVENTS THIS MONTH!
 
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Join us at the monthly protest at the NRA headquarters in Fairfax, 11250 Waples Mill Rd. from 10-11 am.  The NRA consistently stands in the way of sensible legislation and they support candidates who do their bidding in Congress and in statehouses across the country. 
 
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Join us a the House Judiciary Committee Assault Weapons Ban Hearing 
10:00 a.m. – ?
2141 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington D.C.
Click HERE to RSVP. 
Facebook Event Page is HERE. 
The hearing will stream live here.
 
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Attend the National Rally to #EndGunViolence on National Remembrance Day of Murdered Victims. Please wear all black.
1:00-3:30 p.m.
West Lawn, U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C. 
Click HERE to RSVP. 
Facebook Event Page is HERE. 
 
 
THINGS YOU CAN DO FROM HOME
 
TELL CONGRESS TO REQUIRE BACKGROUND CHECKS ON ALL GUN SALES
 
Following the mass shooting in Odessa, President Trump declared that background checks “wouldn’t have prevented” the massacre. He was wrong. Authorities have said that the Texas gunman purchased the murder weapon, an AR-15-style rifle, through a private sale, which is a known loophole to avoid going through a background check. The Odessa shooting is a textbook case of the risk of private gun sales. The national federal background check system stopped the Odessa shooter from buying a gun in 2014. So he went to a private seller to get his AR-style rifle, evading a background check. That’s because Texas, like 29 other states, doesn’t require private sellers to vet their customers. What’s especially devastating is this: A bill to require background checks for private gun sales has been sitting on McConnell’s desk since February and it’s continuing to gather dust while more and more Americans die. We cannot accept this. Demand Trump and McConnell pass gun safety legislation!
 
TELL CONGRESS IT IS WAY PAST TIME TO BAN DEADLY ASSAULT WEAPONS
 
Assault weapons are lethal. They allow the most murders in the shortest amount of time, and they have no place in civilian hands. A bipartisan bill to ban assault weapons needs just a few more cosponsors to move forward. We need your help! Send a message now urging key representatives to support this lifesaving bill!
We need all hands on deck to secure 7 more cosponsors to pass this bill so PLEASE drive some phone calls and e-mails to the reps on our target list. Their phone #s and e-mail addresses are HERE. Please also tweet at them to encourage them to cosponsor the bill. 
 
Can’t join the National Rally in DC or any of the sister rallies? Click HERE to find out how you can participate in the NATIONAL SOCIAL MEDIA RALLY  to #EndGunViolence on September 25th! 
 
 
ORDER LOCAL GVP HERO REV. JIM ATWOOD’S NEW BOOK ON FAITH AND FIREARMS
 
Click here to read the first chapter of Jim Atwood’s  book, to see if you are interested in purchasing it for further reading, to lead a discussion group or to place it in your house of worship or local library.  Collateral Damage: Changing the Conversation About Faith and Firearms will enhance one’s knowledge of our national crisis on gun violence and provide practical action suggestions on how committed people can bring an end to our senseless gun pandemic. The book will make a good study guide as the facts are all documented from reliable sources and will include discussion questions at the end of each chapter. Click here to order direct from the publisher. You will receive it by mail shortly after Nov. 5, when it will be available on line or at local bookstores nationwide.
 
SPREAD THE WORD ON THE CONNECTION BETWEEN SUICIDE AND GUNS
September is Suicide Prevention Month, and Suicide Prevention Week is September 8-14. If we want to end gun violence, we must be informed about the link between guns and suicide.
·       Suicides account for 60% of gun deaths in America.
·       Every day, 63 people die by suicide with a gun. 
·       Every day, 20 veterans die by suicide, and two-thirds use a gun.
·       The national suicide rate has risen by over 30% since 2000.
·       The presence of a gun in the home increases the risk for suicide by 300%.
We know that we can respect the rights and culture of gun owners while also promoting solutions. By having the courage to talk about guns and suicide, we honor the lives of those we have lost, and we protect the lives of those who remain. Read our resource with the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) on how to provide emotional support for survivors of gun violence, and find more suicide prevention resources from Team ENOUGH.
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call the free and confidential National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741-741. 
 
Thank you for all you do!
 
Best,
Martina

Gun Safety Resources

Gun Violence PreventionResources

Link to Order your “Stop Gun Violence” License Plate

NRA Pressure on Red State Democrats – Gorsuch

Guns: Myths v Facts

Concealed Carry Reciprocity

State by State Danger of Overriding Concealed Carry Laws

 

Join WofA and Friends as we March for Our Lives on Saturday, March 24th!

Updated 3/22/2018:

Join WofA, Indivisible Arlington and friends as we join the March4OurLives!

The March is just a few days away and I’m delighted to let you know that Wofa, Indivisible Arlington and friends will be meeting at the Capital Bikeshare – located at 7th St., SW and C Street, SW between 10:00AM-11:00AM. (see map below – there are quite a few Bikeshares nearby, make sure you go to the right one!). We plan to leave Capital Bikeshare at 11am and head to the security checkpoint at 7th St., NW and Constitution Ave., NW. L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station is closest to the meet up site – if taking metro to L’Enfant, use the Maryland Ave, SW/7th St, SW St. Exit.

 
March CapBike GoogleEarthCircle
 

Note: Metro will most likely be over capacity and there is a high probability there will be no cell service!

Poster Making Party

Friday, March 23rd

6:00 PM – 8:00Pm at Micaela Pond’s 1618 N Adams St Arlington, VA

 

 

Additionally, please see below, for important information/links that I think you will find quite useful. Please check back regularly, as we will be updating up until the morning of the March!

 
Best,
 
Kathleen Murray

 

Official March Website/FAQs

March Map to Entrances 

 
 
 
 
 
March for Our Lives Poster Party at Micaela’s (“Ponderosa”) 
Friday, March 23rd 6:00 – 8:00
1618 N Adams St.
Join us as we channel our anger about the nation’s gun violence epidemic through “Art” as we create posters for the March for Our Lives! Micaela has the supplies, just bring your creativity (and maybe a drink or food to share 🙂
 
March for Our Lives Interfaith Prayer Vigil

Used Metro Cards with $ still left on them (for out of town marchers): These charitable organizations can consolidate your cards onto a new card worth $20-30 and use it to help indigent families get to job interviews as well as legal and medical appointments and such. It’s a very nice idea.

Donate your cards to:

Miriam’s Kitchen

Brenda Segal

2401 Virginia Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20037

Martha’s Table

2114 14th St NW

Washington, DC 20009

Quinnipiac Poll on Gun Legislation: Released February 20, 2018

February 20, 2018 – U.S. Support For Gun Control Tops 2-1, Highest Ever, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Let Dreamers Stay, 80 Percent Of Voters Say

https://poll.qu.edu/national/release-detail?ReleaseID=2521

As a result of the #ParklandMassacre there has been an overwhelming # of actions and protests, so I have made a spreadsheet to keep track. The following are the most current protests/rallies that are taking place locally. Best to use the links for current info and/or refer to WofA FB events “Google before You Go”!

02/19

Protest for Gun Reform

Wash, DC

Teens for Gun Reform

https://www.facebook.com/events/154480278543138/

02/21

Emergency Herding for Gun Safety

Wash, DC

Herd on the Hill

https://www.facebook.com/events/551459115218516/

03/14

Enough! National School Walkout

Everywhere

Women’s March

In an effort to clarify some things re: March 14th Walkout I’m providing some facts (this is a fluid situation – check link below for updated info):

March 14th: “NATIONAL SCHOOL WALKOUT”, organized by the Women’s March, Youth EMPOWER arm. it is “calling for students, teachers, school administrators, parents and allies to take part in a #NationalSchoolWalkout for 17 minutes at 10am across every time zone on March 14, 2018 to protest Congress’ inaction to do more than tweet thoughts and prayers in response to the gun violence plaguing our schools and neighborhoods”

(I have heard W-L will be participating: meeting on the track for 17 minutes)

I feel it is meant to be more of a contemplative action and can be done most any way with age appropriate activities. here are links to: the National School Walkout:

https://www.womensmarch.com/empower/

https://www.facebook.com/events/1767175080245694/

03/24

March for Our Lives

Wash, DC

March for Our Lives

https://www.marchforourlives.com

https://www.facebook.com/events/157161255003456/

3/24

We March for Our Lives

Wash, DC

Everytown

04/20

Rally for Gun Safety

Loudon

Comstock’s Office

https://www.facebook.com/events/152722212203929

04/20

School Walkout

Everywhere

http://nationalschoolwalkout.us

https://www.facebook.com/nationalhighschoolwalkout/
From National School Walkout (Feb 23, 2018):

The response to our call for Action on April 20 to Stop Gun Violence in Schools has been overwhelming. Over 22,000 have pledged to be involved. We are working with a coalition that includes the AFT, NEA, AASA, BATS, Sandy Hook Promise and others to make sure that our lawmakers hear that the status quo is unacceptable. Our goal is simple–we want laws and regulations designed to stop gun violence. In the coming weeks, we will work with gun control advocacy groups to identify and promote sensible legislation that will make a difference.

If you have not signed up to join us, please sign up here.

Then share this link with others and ask them to take the pledge. 

http://bit.ly/2HwERsf

Since our Friday email, we have been flooded with questions. Below are the most frequently asked questions with our responses. 

1.  What am I pledging to do?

On April 20th we are asking you to participate in a high profile activity of your choosing that demonstrates your support for legislation and programs designed to reduce gun violence in schools. The color of gun control is orange. Please wear an orange armband or headband that day. 

School communities and other groups should engage and publicize activities that make sense for them. What is an appropriate action for a high school may not work in an elementary school. In the coming days, we will put suggested activities on our website as well as a form where we encourage you to share what you will do. 

Some schools may choose a sit in before, during or after school. Others may encircle the school with linked arms. Some may choose an assembly where they read the names of students and adults who have died from gun violence in schools. Some classes may write letters to policymakers. Some may organize marches to the offices of legislators. 

We ask that any activity be respectful and peaceful in honor of those we have lost. We are not battling our communities or school administration. We are working together as educators, students, families and communities to send a loud message to policymakers and legislators. We are taking a stand against those who sit on their hands while students and teachers are slaughtered in their schools.

2. Why April 20?

April 20 is the day of the massacre at Columbine High School during which 12 students and one teacher were killed. Yes, we are aware that the date is associated with other events and causes. We hope that everyone will focus together on the need to stop the slaughter of innocents by guns on that day. The significance of the date for those of us dedicated to stopping gun violence outweighs any pre-existing associations to that date.

3. There are other events that are happening including a walk out on March 14 and a March on Washington on the 24th. Why not have one day?

NPE supports all other actions against gun violence. We want the momentum for real change to build with every new action. In the past, when gun tragedies happened, they attracted attention and mourning for a week or two. We say “no more moving on.” It will take the work of many groups on many days to overcome the resistance to change. We salute and support all efforts to combat gun violence, and we look forward to working with every group that shares our goals. 

To receive updates and information, please sign up here and share the link. A webpage with a wealth of information will be up shortly.

 

January 4, 2018

ACTION ITEMS: 

12/4/2017 – From Moms Demand Action:
 
The Concealed Carry Reciprocity (CCR) Act is likely to be voted on by the full House on Wednesday, 12-6. We need all hands on deck to STOP it.
 
Concealed Carry Reciprocity would override state laws and make the weakest concealed carry standards the law of the land. Individual state laws would be gutted. This means many dangerous people – including domestic abusers, felons and others with dangerous histories – can carry loaded, hidden handguns. The bill also allows people to carry concealed weapons on school grounds, national parks and other federally owned lands that are open to the public. This bill, if passed, will put the safety of our families and communities at risk. This legislation is the top NRA priority. Stopping it is absolutely critical.
 
To make things even more challenging, the House leadership has decided to combine the Concealed Carry Reciprocity (CCR) with the Cornyn/Murphy Fix NICs Act. This bill is a positive attempt to close loopholes in the the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
 
Moms Demand Action opposes this combination because CCR will poison the attempt to fix NICs.
 
HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP:
 
1. Call Your Representative. Text “Dangerous” to 644-33 to call your Representative. If your Rep is Don Beyer, please thank him for his support! Please use this messaging on Social Media and everywhere you are over the next few days.
 
2. Speak out on Social Media. Moms Demand Action is targeting certain Representatives every day. Please tweet and retweet #StopCCR as much as possible.
 
3. Get the Word Out. Share this information with friends and family. Encourage them to contact their Reps and speak out on Social Media – particularly if they have a congressional representative who may support CCR.

The “Hearing Protection” or “SHARE ACT” is about to happen!

Please use the The Brady Campaign’s “Connect to your Rep Here” link to let your representative know that widespread availability and use of gun silencers will put law enforcement and the general public in danger!  Connect to your Rep Here

Keep an eye out for “The Hearing Protection Bill”!

Click Here for Background on Hearing Protection Bill

Email Senator Mark Warner and thank him for coming out against S.446 –   Concealed Carry Reciprocity

Email: https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactpage

Sen. John Cornyn’s (R-TX) concealed carry reciprocity legislation (S. 446) would force Virginia to recognize concealed carry standards from every other state – even though requirements for getting a concealed carry permit vary drastically across states and may be lower than Virginia’s.

This bill is on it’s way to the Senate.  

For more information on Concealed Carry Reciprocity:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwYv1my9fmdmRkItWlNFTUkyczg/view

In the meantime please check out our GVP Reference Links below:

Link to Order your “Stop Gun Violence” License Plate

NRA Pressure on Red State Democrats – Gorsuch

Gun Violence PreventionResources

Guns: Myths v Facts

Concealed Carry Reciprocity

State by State Danger of Overriding Concealed Carry Laws

Key Federal GVP Legislation 2017