200 FAMILIES AND SURVIVORS DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY GUN VIOLENCE FROM 38 STATES URGE THE U.S. SENATE TO VOTE NO ON JUDGE BRETT KAVANAUGH’S CONFIRMATION FOR U.S. SUPREME COURT
For Immediate Release
August 31, 2018
Press Contact:
John Kelley
jkelley@newtownaction.org
917-679-6475
OPEN LETTER TO U.S. SENATE
200 FAMILIES AND SURVIVORS DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY GUN VIOLENCE FROM 38 STATES URGE THE U.S. SENATE TO VOTE NO ON JUDGE BRETT KAVANAUGH’S CONFIRMATION FOR U.S. SUPREME COURT
Dear Members of U.S. Senate:
We are families and survivors who have been directly impacted by gun violence from cities and towns across this nation. Some of us have been shattered by our loved ones being taken by senseless gun violence and some of us live our daily lives with physical and/or mental scars from gun violence.
We are united in support for common sense gun violence prevention measures to end gun violence in America and we are writing to implore you to vote NO to Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court of the United States of America.
The majority of Americans support common sense gun laws. 97% of Americans stand with us in support of background checks on all gun sales and 67% support a ban on assault weapons. Judge Kavanaugh does not share the same views as the majority of Americans. His record indicates that he has perverted the interpretation of the Second Amendment to promote the gun lobby’s agenda over public safety. We were not surprised when the National Rifle Association launched its seven-figure national and regional ad campaign to get him confirmed.
In the 2011 challenge to Washington D.C.’s Assault Weapons Ban, Judge Kavanaugh split from all others in the D.C. Circuit Court by arguing that it is unconstitutional to ban assault weapons. We believe his dissenting opinion is a radical interpretation of the 2008 District of Columbia v. Heller case. The 2008 Supreme Court ruling, authored by conservative Justice Antonin Scalia, argued that the Second Amendment right is “not unlimited” and that there is no “right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose.” Therefore, “dangerous and unusual” weapons can be banned under the Second Amendment.
We know firsthand that assault weapons are extremely dangerous and belong in the hands of our military personnel, not civilians! The autopsy records of our loved ones and the scars from our wounds should be enough evidence for you to vote NO to a Supreme Court nominee who believes these weapons of war should be readily available to all civilians.
Judge Kavanaugh is the most extreme Second Amendment Supreme Court nominee in modern history. If Judge Kavanaugh is confirmed, it would make it nearly impossible for Congress and state legislatures to pass common sense gun laws that the courts won’t overturn. Your support for Judge Kavanaugh will jeopardize the gun safety laws that are in place to protect Americans. Gun deaths and injuries will escalate more rapidly in America and all parents will fear sending their children out into the streets, schools, movies, malls, concerts, places of worship and other public places.
We beg you to vote NO on Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation.
Sincerely,
Over 200 families and survivors directly impacted by gun violence from 38 states in United States of America:
ARIZONA:
Nancy Bowman, RN, a shopper at the grocery store when Congresswoman Gabby Giffords was shot. First to crawl through the blood and plug the bullet holes as 6 people lay dead, and 13 more were severely wounded
David G. Bowman, MD, the first person to give medical care to the victims bleeding to death on the sidewalk in front of the Safeway where 6 people died and 13 more were injured. Thirty three bullets hit flesh in a matter of 17 seconds, one of those through the skull of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords
Carol Gaxiola, mother of Jasmine,14, murdered with a gun in October 1999
John & Roxanna Green, parents of Christina-Taylor Green who was taken by gun violence in Tucson Tragedy on January 8th,2011
Gerry Hills, sister of murdered police officer Adam J. Hills 10/18/1994
Patricia Maisch, witness to six people murdered and 13 others physically wounded by gunfire on a sidewalk in Tucson, Arizona on January 8, 2011 when Congresswoman Gabby Giffords was shot
Carol and Perry McMillan, gun violence survivor
Emily Nottingham, mother of Gabe Zimmerman, killed in Tucson mass shooting in 2011
Deborah Parker, mother of Lindsay Key-Parker, murdered by a gun in Chandler, Arizona on December 3, 2006
Mary Reed, shot 3 times protecting my daughter at the Gabby Giffords Shooting
Philip Shook, victim of a robbery
Tom and Caren Teves, parents of 24 y.o. Alex Teves, who was shot and killed in an Aurora, CO movie theater on July 20, 2012
CALIFORNIA:
Megan Ackerman, survivor of a shooting outside Taft High School in Woodland Hills, CA on 9/9/03 and another shooting in Los Angeles, CA on 1/27/12; great-neice of Stephanie Shine who was a victim of domestic abuse and fatally shot by her husband in Los Angeles, CA 1987; and cousin of Matthew Shlonsky who died after walking in the path of a bullet in Washington, DC on 8/15/15
Frances Blythe, a close relative of a victim taken by gun violence
Hollye Dexter, seven-year-old brother shot at a playdate, best friend shot by husband
Lisa Dowdy, survivor of gunshots into her bedroom on Sept 18, 2013 that almost fatally injured her husband
Rachel Elman, aunt of a 24 year old who was shot 13 times while working on his car in downtown Detroit o June 12th 2018
Shamila Espinoza, survivor of the Route 91 Las Vegas Mass Shooting
Mary Fryer, cousin murdered by gun violence
Nicole Garner, 20 y.o. daughter Ronique Williams was shot and killed while riding in the passenger seat of a car-she was not the intended target
Randy Gardner, a survivor of the January 8th, 2011 mass shooting in Tucson, AZ
Sharon Genkin, sister of Judy Genkin who died by a gun
Lauren Gerber, girlfriend of a victim of gun violence
Wayne Gilbert, brother of Dr. Ronald Gilbert who was murdered with a semi-automatic handgun in his office on January 28, 2013
Kate Hairrell, survivor of the October 1, 2017 Las Vegas, Rt. 91 Mass Shooting
Holly Hall, witnessed Steve Becker dying in front of me at CSU, Fullerton massacre in 1976
Deborah Hamilton, mother of Johnathan, a victim taken by gun violence
Beth Jersey, parent of child affected by roommate's gun suicide
Lael Johnson, cousin of Chris who died at 21 from gun violence
Arvis Jones, parent of a victim taken by gun violence and survived a shooting incident
Tim Linerud, close relative of a victim taken by gun violence
Demicha Lofton-Thomas, mother of Gerrik Thomas who was shot on January 25, 2016 on the corner of 54th and 9th Avenue in Los Angeles
Sara Macaluso, daughter of Michael P. Macaluso who died by suicide with a gun on April 23, 1992
Pat Margulies, a close relative of a victim taken by gun violence
Alyssa Milano, founder of NoRA, a friend of 25 years committed suicide with a gun
David Miller, friend of Bart Slepian, murder victim; Antonius W., gunshot survivor; and Andy A., suicide by gun victim
Barbara Nagy, survived a shooting incident
Catherine Nelson, sister of gun violence survivor Lizzy Nelson Menard who was shot at a high school party in Silver Spring, MD on her 16th birthday on October 6, 1990
Louis and Karen Pandula, parents who daily grieve for our darling daughter Kristina who was shot and killed in San Jose in 2011.
Laura Pitchford, sister of Michele Daschbach Fast who was killed, along with seven others, in Seal Beach ,CA on October 12, 2011
Helen Rodrigues, sister to a brother who was made a quadriplegic by gun violence in road rage
Aimee Rozen, cousin of 12 year old Taylor Wheeler who was accidentally shot and killed by his friend in a family home
Clare Senchyna, mother of Camilo Senchyna EMT killed in random shooting 2014
Gina Sims, daughter of Caryl Meenan, who died of suicide by a gun she never should have been able to purchase.
Astra Stenson, grandmother of a gunshot victim and survivor of a gunshot incident
Bethany Webb, sister of Laura Webb-Elody killed in Seal Beach, CA 10/12/2011 and daughter of Hattie Stetz who was shot in Seal Beach 10/12/2011
Bob and Colleen Weiss whose daughter, Veronika was taken by gun violence in Isla Vista, California. May 23, 2014
Andre and Nicole Williams, parents of Antonio M. Wilson who was taken by senseless gun violence in Los Angeles on November 30, 2017
Kemischa Winston, sister of Gerrik Thomas who was taken by gun violence Jan 25, 2016
COLORADO:
James A Clark Jr, coworker of an ex-supervisor who was killed by gun violence at the Planned Parenthood shooting in Colorado Springs, CO he was taking his girlfriend for an ultrasound
Sharon Baker, teacher & friend of people who had relatives at Columbine when it occurred
Jane Dougherty, sister of Mary Sherlach killed by bullets at Sandy Hook Elementary School in CT on December 14, 2012
Edward Laurson, close relative of a victim taken by gun violence who is absolutely sick of gun violence in the USA
James A. Vallejos, close relative of a victim taken by gun violence
CONNECTICUT:
Alyssa Ballaro, family of Vicki Soto who was killed in Sandy Hook
Danny Ballaro, family of Vicki Soto who was killed in Sandy Hook
Abbey Clements, teacher survivor of the Sandy Hook School tragedy on December 14, 2012.
Yvonne Crasso, sister of Nina Bradley who was taken by gun violence in Concord NC on October 27, 2012
Heather Cronk, cousin of Victoria Soto who was tragically taken by gun violence in Sandy Hook,CT on December 14, 2012
Rachel Dubreuil, close friend of Vicki Soto who was killed in Sandy Hook
Denise C Fagan, aunt of Victoria L Soto who died protecting her students at Sandy Hook Elementary School
Donald Fagan, grandfather of teacher Victoria Soto killed at Sandy Hook School 12.14.12
Zachary Fagan, cousin of Victoria Soto you was killed protecting her students at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT on December 14, 2012
Katie Harris, friend of Vicki Soto, killed at Sandy Hook
Dana Horowitz, daughter of Bruce Horowitz, killed by gun violence on May 4, 1992
Mary Marinko, family of Vicki Soto who was killed in Sandy Hook
Jackson Mittleman, family friend’s son was killed in Sandy Hook on 12/14/12
Rebecca Murphy, best friend of Vicki Soto who was killed in Sandy Hook
Po Murray, neighbor used an AR-15 to shoot and kill 20 children and 6 educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School where my four children were educated
Tommy Murray, my neighbor shot and killed my classmate’s sibling, my other neighbors, my substitute teacher, my teacher’s aide and my principal at Sandy Hook Elementary School on 12/14/12
Brent Parisi, family of Vicki Soto who was killed in Sandy Hook
Carlee Soto Parisi, sister of Vicki Soto who was killed in Sandy Hook
Kyllian Soto Parisi, family of Vicki Soto who was killed in Sandy Hook
Virginia and Nicholas Payne, parents of Rebecca Payne, shot by a drug dealer who got the wrong address, Boston May 20, 2008
Rachel Schiavone, best friend of Vicki Soto who was taken by gun violence in Sandy Hook on December 14, 2012
Scott Schweizer, Persian Gulf War Veteran
Carlos Soto, brother of Vicki Soto who was a teacher in Sandy Hook
Carlos Soto, father of Vicki Soto murdered at Sandy Hook
Donna Soto, mother of Victoria Soto-teacher who was killed at Sandy Hook School 12.14.12
Jillian Soto, younger sister to Victoria Soto who was killed in the Sandy Hook School massacre
Christopher Vichiola, friend of a victim of gun violence
Gail Warek, daughter of Eugene Mahoney who was shot 3 times and killed in a botched robbery in Jackson Heights, Queens NY on January 8, 1982
David Wheeler, father of Ben Wheeler, killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School, December 14, 2012
Cathy Whelehan, friends of parents who lost their loved ones to gun violence
Ryann Wiltsie, cousin of Victoria Soto who was taken by gun violence in the Sandy Hook shooting in the year of 2012
Pamela Wilson, Sandy Hook mother of Sean who survived a shooting incident
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Gwendolyn Green, close relative of a victim taken by gun violence
Christian Heyne, Son of Jan Heyne who was murdered with a gun in Thousand Oaks, CA on May 30th, 2005
DELAWARE:
Kristin Froehlich, sister of David Froehlich who was murdered in Georgetown, CT on April 18, 1995 by a man who owned his semi-automatic weapon legally
Christine Griswold, daughter of Robert and Joan Griswold murdered in their home by a 17 year old on Memorial Day weekend 2003
FLORIDA:
James Blood, friend of senseless gun shooting victim
William Conrad, father of Lorna Conrad, my 20 year-old daughter is a victim of armed home invasion robbery
Jaclyn Corin, Parkland Survivor
Christopher Danne, a close relative of a victim taken by gun violence
Ryan Deitch, survivor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Massacre on February 14th, 2018
Emma González, friend of Carmen Schentrup, she was murdered on Valentine’s Day 2018 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
Fred Guttenberg, parent of Jaime Guttenberg who was murdered in the Parkland, Fl school shooting on Feb 14, 2018
David Hogg, survivor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting on February 14th, 2018
Ryan Servaites, survivor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting on February 14th, 2018
Adrianna Siniscalchi, brother was taken by gun violence in 2013
Nigel Spier, Obstetrician who delivered some of the Parkland MSD victims
Sofie Whitney, survivor of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL on February 14, 2018
Alex Wind, Survivor from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, February 14, 2018
Maria Wright, mother of Jerald Wright shot and killed at Pulse on June 12, 2016
GEORGIA:
Michael and Jeri Bishop, parents of Christopher James Bishop, slain on April 16, 2007, in what remains the worst school shooting in American history at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia
Kimberly Brusk, domestic and gun violence survivor
HAWAII:
Mary True, close relative of a victim taken by gun violence
ILLINOIS:
Stephanie Brown, mother of Darius Brown gunned down at 13, while playing basketball in Chicago, August 3, 2011
Janice Cannon, daughter of a victim taken by gun violence
Delphine Cherry, parent of Tyesa Abney and Tyler Randolph both taken by gun violence 20 years apart
Sandra Cole, mother of 20 year old Tony McCoy Jr. who was taken by gun violence on 7-16-11 in Chicago Il
Elliot Fineman, parent of a victim taken by gun violence
Christina Johnson, mother of Christopher Johnson who was senselessly taken to gun violence sitting in his car 4/11/15 in Chicago
Marsha Lee, family of 20 year old Thomas Lee who was an innocent victim of gun violence 147th Loomis, Harvey IL on August 13, 2008
Eric & Mary Kay, parents of Ryanne Mace, killed in the mass shooting at Northern Illinois University on 2/14/08
Kathleen McCammon, mother of Donovan Jaye Bearden who was senselessly taken from us by gun violence at his home on November 15, 2012
INDIANA:
Kathryn Berkowicz, friend of Jason killed by his boss in February, 2018
Ellen Jagger, Relative of a victim taken by gun violence
Stephen and Joellen Miller, Stephen's brother Tom was killed in a gun homicide and both lost their nephew
Christopher to a gun suicide-both were 20 years old
KANSAS:
LaTonya Boyd, mother of Tyesha McNair shot to death by a felon with a stolen gun
KENTUCKY:
Haley Rinehart, mother of Eli Parker who survived a gunshot wound to the head at age 4 in Louisville, KY on April 6, 2002
LOUISIANA:
Gerard F. Gaudin, close relative of a victim taken by gun violence
MASSACHUSETTS:
Nilah M. MacDonald, a close relative of a victim taken by gun violence
MARYLAND:
Stephanie Preston, cousin of Jamie Ann who was taken by gun violence when she was murdered by her boyfriend
MAINE:
Judi and Wayne Richardson, parents of Darien Richardson who was taken by gun violence in 2010, shot several times in her own bed during a home invasion in Portland, Maine
MICHIGAN:
Linda Luke, mother who was held at gunpoint in church robbery
MINNESOTA:
Debra Evon, concerned citizen & friend of victims of gun violence
Rachael Joseph, niece of Shelley Joseph-Kordell, who was gunned down in the courthouse shooting at the
Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis on 9/29/03
Joan Peterson, sister of Barbara Lund who was murdered by her estranged husband in 1992 in Minnetonka, Minnesota
Diane Sellgren, parent of Angela Frankenberry who was able to pass a background check despite being hospitalized 4 times the last year of her life to purchase a gun and use it to end her life on July 6, 2011
Joseph Wenzel, teacher of students impacted by gun violence
MISSOURI:
Daniel P. Gaeng, brother committed suicide with a firearm
Andrea Bauman who lost a family member to suicide by firearm
NORTH CAROLINA:
Rev Sharon Risher, my mother Ethel Lance, 2 cousins and six others were murdered in Emanuel AME Church by gun violence and hate
Natalie Weaver, sibling of Zachary Montognese who was taken by gun violence on April 20th 2004
NEBRASKA:
Maureen Neal, cousin of a murdered teen killed in Lexington, KY in mid 1990’s AND friend of Jane Ann
Binkley, shot and killed in May 1972 in case of mistaken identity by a Jefferson County cop in Ferncreek, KY
NEW HAMPSHIRE:
WG Kingston, combat veteran
Clai Lasher-Sommers, shot at the age of 13 by her stepfather
NEW JERSEY:
Ron Carlson, teacher of a girl whose life was taken by gun violence
P. Scoville, a close relative of a victim taken by gun violence
NEW MEXICO:
Shirley Beaupre, concerned counselor working with victims of gun violence in New Mexico
Cindy & Dave Edney, a close relative of a victim taken by gun violence
Wayne and Joan Shirley, parents of a victim taken by gun violence with his two friends
Kirsten Shirley, sister of Kevin Shirley, murdered with a semi-automatic assault rifle at close range, in Albuquerque, New Mexico on May 31, 1999
NEW YORK:
Patricia Castagne, relative of a victim taken by gun violence
Natasha Christopher, parent of Akeal Christopher who was shot on June 27th, on his way home from a high school graduation party in Brooklyn NY. Survived for fourteen days died on his fifteenth birthday July 10th 2012.
Marie Delus, aunt of Pierre-paul Jean-Paul killed in Queens, NY November 11, 2008
Robert Easter, survivor of a gunshot wound
Kahlil Goodwyn, close friend of a victim taken by gun violence
Shenee Johnson, mother of Kedrick Ali Morrow Jr. whose life was taken by gun violence on May 15th, 2010 in Queens, NY.
Michael Martinez-Campos, survived a shooting incident
Douglas McCool, parent of a child who was raped at gunpoint
Jerry Rivers, survivor of a shooting incident and family of multiple victims taken by gun violence
Kim Russell, shooting survivor of robbery, friend of Philip Rau who was killed during incident on April 24, 1999, Atlanta, GA
Ruth Senchyna, aunt of Camilo Senchyna Beltran, taken by gun violence 12/7/14
G. Shapiro, physician treating victims of gun violence
Angie Waller, daughter of a victim taken by gun violence
Antonius Wiriadjaja, innocent bystander shot in the chest in Brooklyn on July 5, 2013
Grace Zick, a Physical Therapist who has treated far too many victims of gun violence. Yet I am fortunate to rehabilitate the survivors. Others have lost their voice, their life, and liberty entirely and that is as unconstitutional as anything that we face in America today.
OHIO:
Chris, Byknish, RN in surgery of a Level I Trauma Center
David Christman, close relative of a victim taken by gun violence
Marlene Eldemire, mother of Rebecca Eldemire who was taken by gun violence in Oxford, Ohio on February 1, 2015
Nicole Fitzpatrick, mom of son Jaiden forever 9 yrs old due to gun violence on Nov 23, 2013
Toby Hoover, spouse of Dale Stone in Toledo, Ohio February 9th, 1973
Cynthia Kennon , mother of Mary Kennon who was taken by gun violence in Satellite Beach, Florida on November 28, 2010.
Bill Loomis, close friends were killed by guns
OREGON:
Doreen Dodgen-Magee whose sister in law, Laura, and nieces, Sarah (5), Rachel (3), and April (6 months) were taken by gun violence on September 11, 1995
PENNSYLVANIA:
Glenn Gawinowicz, daughter was student at Springfield, Montgomery County, PA several years ago when student came in with AK-47 & shot up the school, then killed himself. Students, including my daughter had to hide under desks & in closets until the police came.
Kim Rauhauser, daughter of Richard & Tina Mast who were taken by gun violence on July 13, 1992
Jean Wiant, relative of Jeffrey Moyer who lost his life to gun violence on July 2, 1980
SOUTH CAROLINA:
Barbara Stowe, sister of Patricia May Springer killed by a convicted felon who never should have had access to a gun. Domestic Violence/gun violence September 15 1997. She was only 39 with so much to live for.
TENNESSEE:
Grady Warren, lost sister to domestic violence
TEXAS:
Rana David, mother of Derek Klein taken by suicide with firearm August 25, 2015
Julie Gavan, gun violence survivor
Darlene Thomas McGee, held at gunpoint for 24 hours
Dave Mills, threatened by guns in the past
Sandy and Lonnie Phillips, parents of Jessica Ghawi who was taken by gun violence in Aurora Movie Theater in Aurora, Colorado on July 20, 2012
UTAH:
Kait Hinckley, daughter of Carolyn Tuft, who was shot, and sister to Kirsten Hinckley, who was killed, in a downtown mall in Salt Lake City on February 12, 2007.
VIRGINIA:
Joan Fredericks, wife of Dale Fredericks, murdered by gun violence on June 11, 1993 in Fairfax, VA
Honora Laszlo, whose mother never recovered after losing her best friend since childhood to gun violence in 1972
Barbara and Andy Parker, parents of journalist Alison Parker who was shot and killed on live TV on August 26, 3015.
Jeanette Richardson, parent of a victim taken by gun violence.
Mary and Buddy Ward, parents of Adam Ward who was taken by gun violence at Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia. He was the cameraman for reporter Alison Parker and was shot while filming live for WDBJ Television on August 26th, 2015. Our hearts have been broken.
VERMONT:
Joel Trupin, who was robbed at gunpoint
WASHINGTON:
Teri Clay-Poole, survivor of domestic violence with guns
Karla Everett, retired emergency room RN
Kimberley Gatbunton, mother of Joshua TC Gatbunton, shot & killed September 3rd, 2008.
Ann and Craig Madsen, uncle of Matt Boravina and Godfather of Kara Christensen, both took their lives by gun suicide
Mackenzie McAninch, lost a dear friend to gun violence on Thanksgiving of 2017
David O'Connor, uncle of Jon Orbeton who was murdered in a robbery while walking to his car in Oakland, CA by a two-time felon.
Catherine Person, sister of Keith Person, age 15, abducted while walking home from school, shot and killed March 22, 1974.
James Soares, worked with survivors of gun violence.
Jane Weiss, aunt of Veronika Weiss who was taken by gun violence while walking to her sorority in Isla Vista, California on May 23, 2014
Jaime Worthington, close relative of a victim taken by gun violence
WISCONSIN:
Corey E. Olsen, shot and survived
Khary Penebaker, son of Joyce Penebaker who shot & killed herself on 9-8-1979
Shirley Schmidman, a close relative of a victim taken by gun violence
WEST VIRGINIA:
MC Kubiak, close relative of a victim taken by gun violence