Newtown Action Alliance Endorse Senators and Senate Candidates Who Support Assault Weapons Ban for 2020 Elections
For Immediate Release
October 16, 2020
Newtown Action Alliance Endorse Senators and Senate Candidates
Who Support Assault Weapons Ban for 2020 Elections
Newtown, CT.-The Newtown Action Alliance (NAA) is proud to endorse the Senators and Senate Candidates listed below for 2020 Elections.
For nearly eight years after the Sandy Hook shooting tragedy, NAA has been advocating for a set of bold and comprehensive gun control legislation to dramatically reduce all forms of gun violence in our nation.
In 2019, NAA joined a coalition of gun violence prevention survivors, advocates, and researchers from across the country at the GVPedia Conference in Denver, Colorado to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Columbine shooting, and to forge a path forward to a safer America. From this assembly the Denver Accord was born, a declaration of guiding principles and policies to end the scourge of gun violence in America. NAA has fully endorsed GVPedia’s Denver Accord principles that acknowledge 1) Guns do not make us safer; 2) Gun violence in America is a pervasive public health crisis that demands substantial policy solutions and well-funded programs that effectively reduce gun violence; 3) Equitable and just enforcement of gun laws is paramount; and 4) Everyone has the right to live free from violence.
NAA will continue to encourage all members of Congress to fully support the Denver Accord. Meanwhile, NAA is endorsing gun safety candidates who support its top federal policy priorities - the Assault Weapons Ban of 2019 and other life-saving gun control policies.
Senator Cory Booker, New Jersey
● Introduced a 14-part plan to combat gun violence in May of 2019. The plan includes a national gun licensing program, assault weapons ban, closing loopholes, increasing oversight on gun manufacturing, universal background checks, and mandatory buybacks on assault weapons.
● Proposed a national gun licensing program, which would force Americans to apply for 5-year gun licenses before obtaining a firearm. The process would include fingerprinting, an interview, gun safety courses, and a federal background check.
● Formed an anonymous gun hotline in New Jersey, which offered people $1,000 if they called with a tip that led to the recovery of an illegal weapon.
● As Mayor, he did all he could to fight against gun violence: He was deeply involved with Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a coalition of mayors dedicated to bringing sanity to our gun laws; he focused my police department's efforts and resources on gun crime; he attracted private philanthropy to invest in cutting edge technology like an acoustic gunshot detection system; he travelled to Washington DC to personally appeal to the acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives for law enforcement access to crime gun trace data.
● He appealed to the ATF for law enforcement access to crime gun trace data so that my department, and departments across New Jersey, could do more to understand and battle against gun trafficking.
● Introduced S2671 The Break the Cycle of Violence Act, that would provide federal grants to communities for evidence-based gun violence intervention and prevention programs designed to interrupt cycles of violence
● Cosponsored S42 Background Check Expansion Act
● Cosponsored S66 Assault Weapons Ban of 2019
● Cosponsored S120 Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act
● Cosponsored S184 Gun Violence Prevention Research Act
● Cosponsored S447 Keep Americans Safe Act
● Cosponsored S506 Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2019
● Cosponsored S1462 Disarm Hate Act
● Cosponsored S2843 Violence Against Women Act of 2019
● Cosponsored S1795 Keeping Gun Dealers Honest Act of 2019
● Cosponsored S1831 3D Printed Gun Safety Act of 2019
● Sponsored S2449 Federal Firearm Licensing Act
● Cosponsored S3065 Safe Gun Storage Act of 2019
● Sponsored S3912 Justice in Policing Act of 2020
● Earned an F grade by the NRA
● “My plan to address gun violence is simple — we will make it harder for people who should not have a gun to get one. I am sick and tired of hearing thoughts and prayers for the communities that have been shattered by gun violence.”
Senator Chris Coons, Delaware
● In 2013, he helped to pass the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. Since the 2013 reauthorization act expired in 2019, he has called for a new reauthorization bill. He is a strong supporter of the version the House passed in 2019.
● Also Cosponsored Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Act, and Amendment to the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, both in 2013
● Introduced S875 NICS Denial Notification Act with Pat Toomey, R-Pennsylvania, which provides states with critical information to help them enforce existing laws against individuals who attempt to purchase firearms but have no legal right to do so. Under this measure, federal authorities would now be required to alert state law enforcement within 24 hours when individuals “lie and try” to purchase firearms, which can be a warning sign of additional criminal behavior.
● Cosponsored S42 Background Check Expansion Act
● Cosponsored S66 Assault Weapons Ban of 2019
● Sponsored S120 Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act
● Cosponsored S184 Gun Violence Prevention Research Act
● Cosponsored S447 Keep Americans Safe Act
● Cosponsored S506 Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2019
● Cosponsored S1831 3D Printed Gun Safety Act of 2019
● Cosponsored S2671 Break the Cycle of Violence Act
● Cosponsored S2843 Violence Against Women Act of 2019
● Cosponsored S3065 Safe Gun Storage Act of 2019
● Cosponsored S3912 Justice in Policing Act of 2020
● Cosponsored S4068 Background Check Completion Act of 2020
● Earned an F grade by the NRA
● "Working hard across the aisle and trying to find partners, willing to move on past the Trump era is the first thing I'm going to do," he said. "But, you know, I'm not gonna sit by for four years and and allow obstruction to prevent us from making progress on anything."(ABC News July 18, 2020)
Senator Dick Durbin, Illinois
● U.S. Senate Democratic Whip since 2005
● He sits on the Senate Judiciary, Appropriations, Agriculture, and Rules Committees. He is the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Immigration and the Appropriations Committee's Defense Subcommittee
● Cosponsored S.Amdt. 4720 Prohibits the Transfer of Firearms to Suspected Terrorists 2016
● Introduced the Safety Enhancements for Communities Using Reasonable and Effective (SECURE) Firearm Storage Act in 2017, to address the growing prevalence of gun thefts from federally-licensed firearms dealers.
● Introduced the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act
● Cosponsored S42 Background Check Expansion Act
● Cosponsored S66 Assault Weapons Ban of 2019
● Cosponsored S120 Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act
● Cosponsored S184 Gun Violence Prevention Research Act
● Cosponsored S447 Keep Americans Safe Act
● Cosponsored S506 Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2019
● Cosponsored S1795 Keeping Gun Dealers Honest Act of 2019
● Cosponsored S1831 3D Printed Gun Safety Act of 2019
● Cosponsored S2671 Break the Cycle of Violence Act
● Cosponsored S2843 Violence Against Women Act of 2019
● Cosponsored S3065 Safe Gun Storage Act of 2019
● Cosponsored S3912 Justice in Policing Act of 2020
● Cosponsored S4068 Background Check Completion Act of 2020
● Earned an F grade by the NRA
● “This is unacceptable. America is better than this. There are many people in this great nation who are doing all they can to try to reduce the epidemic of shootings – parents, community leaders, teachers, faith leaders, law enforcement, the medical community, and public officials. But what are we doing in the United States Senate? The answer is nothing. Nothing.” (Durbin.senate.gov September 17, 2019)
● “Universal background checks, no exceptions for gun shows. Let’s make sure we also go after straw purchasers, people who buy for other people and get through the background check. Let’s make sure as well that we have some limitations when it comes to these military assault weapons and particularly these high capacity magazine clips.” (peoriapublicradio.org March 6,2018)
Senator Ed Markey, Massachusetts
● Cosponsored S66 Assault Weapons Ban of 2019
● Sponsored S.2014: Making America Safe and Secure (MASS) Act, which would incentivize states to adopt gun-licensing standards similar to those proven effective in Massachusetts.
● Sponsored S.1831: 3D Printed Gun Safety Act of 2019, which would ban the posting of blueprints for 3D printable guns.
● Sponsored S.1795: Keeping Gun Dealers Honest Act of 2019 which would provide ATF with more resources for enforcement
● Sponsored S.184: Gun Violence Prevention Research Act
● Cosponsored S.1352: Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2019
● Cosponsored S.3254: Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety Act of 2020
● For Fiscal Year 2020, Senator Markey was able to secure $25 million for research on gun violence for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
● Cosponsored S.2843 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019
● Cosponsored S.1779: Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act
● Cosponsored S.3065: Safe Gun Storage Act of 2019
● Cosponsored S.2671: Break the Cycle of Violence Act
● Cosponsored S.120: Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act of 2019
● Cosponsored S.4068: Background Check Completion Act of 2020
● Cosponsored S.3743: Untraceable Firearms Act of 2020
● Cosponsored S.42: Background Check Expansion Act
● Cosponsored S.193: Ethan’s Law
● Cosponsored S.320: SECURE Firearm Storage Act
● Regarding the role Facebook plays in misleading and dangerous gun advertisements, he demanded answers from Facebook to address this problem on its platform.
● Earned an F grade by the NRA
● "In the aftermath of the horrific incident in Florida last week there is clearly a national movement led by children, which is now rising across our country. The children are asking adults to do the right thing. The children are asking the leaders of our nation to finally take on the National Rifle Association. The children of our country are finally saying 'that NRA should stand for Not Relevant Anymore in American politics,'" he told reporters. "That is why we are gathered here today ... we can and must do more."
Senator Jeff Merkley, Oregon
● Cosponsored S66: Assault Weapons Ban of 2019
● Cosponsored S.2843: Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019
● Cosponsored S.1831: 3D Printed Gun Safety Act of 2019, which would ban the posting of blueprints for 3D printable guns.
● Cosponsored S.184: Gun Violence Prevention Research Act
● Cosponsored S.120: Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act of 2019
● Cosponsored S.42: Background Check Expansion Act
● Earned an F grade by the NRA
● "How many more parents need to bury their children before Congress acknowledges the need to take action to reduce gun violence?"
● “Another day, another mass shooting in America. This time, El Paso is reeling from the terror of a heinous crime. This is tragic and it will happen again and again until we come to our senses and do something real about gun violence in our country.”
Senator Jack Reed, Rhode Island
● Cosponsored S66: Assault Weapons Ban of 2019
● Sponsored S.1795: Keeping Gun Dealers Honest Act of 2019
● Cosponsored S.1831: 3D Printed Gun Safety Act of 2019, which would ban the posting of blueprints for 3D printable guns.
● Cosponsored S.184: Gun Violence Prevention Research Act
● Cosponsored S.120: Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act of 2019
● Cosponsored S.2843 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019
● Cosponsored S.7: Extreme Risk Protection Order and Violence Prevention Act of 2019
● Cosponsored S.4068: Background Check Completion Act of 2020
● Cosponsored S.3743: Untraceable Firearms Act of 2020
● Earned an F grade by the NRA
● “There should be a basic background check on every gun sale, no matter where it happens. We have the technology, we have the tools, we have the public support to implement this. The only question is: will special interests like the National Rifle Association be able to stop this commonsense proposal from becoming law and saving lives?” asked Senator Reed.
● “As someone who served in the Army, I have great respect for firearms and responsible gun ownership. The law needs to keep pace with technology and the Internet has exponentially increased illegal buyers’ ability to find someone to sell them a gun without a background check. The Background Check Expansion Act is a responsible and common sense approach to preventing firearms from winding up in the hands of criminals and straw purchasers,” said Senator Reed.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire
● Co-Sponsored S66: Assault Weapons Ban of 2019
● Co-sponsored S42: Bipartisan Background Checks Act
● Co-sponsored S120: Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act of 2019
● Co-sponsored S184: Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act of 2019
● Co-sponsored S506: Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2019
● Co-sponsored S1462: Disarm Hate Act
● Co-sponsored S2548: Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2019
● Co-sponsored S2843: Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019
● Co-sponsored S1352: Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2019
● Sponsored S3037: International Violence Against Women Act of 2019
● Earned an F grade by the NRA
● “If you can’t pass a background check, you shouldn’t have access to a gun--that’s just common sense.”
● “We know that domestic violence is a red flag for further violence and we must do more to prevent the next attack.”
● “If you are on a no-fly list and you’re not allowed to get on a plane, then you shouldn’t be able to buy a gun. It’s pretty simple.”
Senator Tina Smith, Minnesota
● As an angler and hunter, she supports common sense bills to make sure guns stay out of the hands of the wrong people.
● She has worked closely with Senator Amy Klobuchar on her legislation to ban people convicted of stalking from having firearms.
● Co-Sponsored S66: Assault Weapons Ban of 2019
● Co-Sponsored S42 Background Check Expansion Act
● Co-sponsored S120: Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act of 2019
● Co-sponsored S184: Gun Violence Prevention Research Act
● Co-sponsored S447: Keep Americans Safe Act
● Co-sponsored S506: Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2019
● Co-Sponsored S2843 Violence Against Women Act of 2019
● Co-Sponsored S1795 Keeping Gun Dealers Honest Act of 2019
● Co-Sponsored S1831 3D Printed Gun Safety Act of 2019
● Co-sponsored S3912 Justice in Policing Act of 2020
● Earned an F grade by the NRA
● “The truth is, when women are empowered to contribute more fully, we all benefit. We’ve seen it in our economy over the last generation. We’re seeing it in our politics, as women drive the resistance to policies that hurt working people and leave our children vulnerable to gun violence. We’re seeing it more and more here in the Senate. And I’m proud to be part of that.” (Senate floor speech June 5, 2018)
Senator Mark Warner, Virginia
● The NRA once called him a “valuable ally for gun owners and sportsmen” for signing into law a series of pro-gun measures in the mid-2000s. Warner’s views on gun control have shifted in recent years, leading the NRA to withdraw its support.
● 2006, had an A rating from, NRA. 2014, had a C rating from NRA. 2020, received an F rating from the NRA
● Co-sponsored S2135 Fix NICS Act
● Co-Sponsored S42 Background Check Expansion Act
● Co-Sponsored S66 Assault Weapons Ban of 2019
● Co-Sponsored S184 Gun Violence Prevention Research Act
● Co-Sponsored S2843 Violence Against Women Act of 2019
● Co-Sponsored S3912 Justice in Policing Act of 2020
● The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
● “I think anyone that says you can address this issue without also dealing with reasonable and logical restraints on gun ownership – and I say that as somebody who was – when I was governor, I was supported by the NRA”(CNN’s “State of the Union” 2018)
● He said his views began to change in 2012 after a gunman killed 20 first-graders and seven adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. “I believe every American has Second Amendment rights, the ability to hunt is part of our culture,” Warner told a CBS affiliate. “But, you know, enough is enough. I think most of us realize that there are ways to get to rational gun control.” (CBS interview. 2018)
Governor John Hickenlooper, Colorado
● As Governor, he enacted legislation to require background checks for all gun sales and banned large-capacity magazines
● Supports an assault weapons ban and other gun safety legislation: “It’s time for Congress to enact an effective assault weapons ban that builds on the previous legislation that expired in 2004.”
Jon Ossoff, Georgia
● Supports an assault weapons ban and other gun safety legislation: “I support a ban on the sale of semi-automatic rifles (“assault weapons”) and high-capacity magazines to the general public.”
Sara Gideon, Maine
● Received an e-mail confirmation from Team Gideon on October 1, 2020 “Sara supports a ban on assault weapons. The United States previously had a ban on assault weapons that was shown to have a positive impact on safety, while still allowing for responsible gun owners to keep their guns. Sara also supports other common sense gun safety reforms, including universal background checks and a red-flag law.”
Governor Steve Bullock, Montana
● Supports an assault weapons ban and other gun safety legislation: “I am a hunter and a gun owner. No hunter needs a 30-round magazine, a bump stock, or an assault weapon.”
Representative Ben Lujan, New Mexico
● Supports an assault weapons ban and other gun safety legislation: Cosponsored of HR1296, Assault Weapons Ban of 2019
MJ Hegar, Texas
● Supports an assault weapons ban and other gun safety legislation: “We must pass common-sense gun safety legislation to require background checks on every single gun sale, including closing the gun show loophole, a proposal that the majority of Texans support. We must pass red flag laws limiting access to firearms for domestic abusers including closing the boyfriend loophole, and fully fund the CDC to reverse the damage of the decades-long ban on gun violence research. We don’t allow sales of weapons of war like grenades or rockets, and we should no longer be selling assault rifles that were intended for war.”
###
Newtown Action Alliance (https://www.newtownactionalliance.org) is a Newtown-based, national grassroots organization formed after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings. Our mission is to achieve the steady and continuous reduction of gun violence through legislative and cultural changes.