NAA, Families Impacted by Gun Violence and Allies Condemn Trump Administration for Adding Firearms to the Federal List of Critical Coronavirus Pandemic Infrastructure
For Immediate Release
March 30, 2020
Newtown Action Alliance, Families Impacted by Gun Violence and Allies Condemn Trump Administration for Adding Firearms to the Federal List of Critical Coronavirus Pandemic Infrastructure
Newtown, CT- The Newtown Action Alliance, families directly impacted by gun violence and allies condemn the Trump Administration for adding firearms to the federal list of “Critical Coronavirus Pandemic Infrastructure” in its updated guidance released on Saturday, March 28, 2020. The Department of Homeland Security added “workers supporting the operation of firearm or ammunition product manufacturers, retailers, importers, distributors, and shooting ranges” on the same list as 911 call center employees, public safety answering points, public agency workers, fusion center employees, workers who support weather disasters/natural hazard mitigation and security staff.
“During a time of a national pandemic crisis, we need a President and an administration who will work to reduce panic-buying of guns rather than doing favors for the corporate gun lobby groups that are using tCoronavirus fears to spur gun sales. For decades, the gun lobby has spread the myth that more guns are needed to keep Americans safe, when in reality nearly 400 million civilian-owned guns in America have not stopped 40,000 annual gun deaths and thousands of gun injuries. Multiple studies have concluded that where there are more guns, there are more gun deaths and more guns do not stop more crimes”, said Po Murray, Chairwoman of Newtown Action Alliance.
Murray continued, “For the past week, the Newtown Action Alliance has been urging Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont to remove gun stores from the essential business list in his “Stay Safe. Stay at Home.“ executive order. Today, we implore the Trump Administration to do the same. All the guns in the world will not help to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 or make our communities safe.”
Fred Guttenberg, a board advisor to the Newtown Action Alliance and the founder of Orange Ribbons for Gun Safety said, “I lost my daughter Jaime in a mass shooting in Parkland due to decades of political investments made by the National Rifle Association (NRA) on behalf of the gun industry. The Trump Administration is aligning with the NRA to use Coronavirus to sell more guns, only ensuring more Americans die. This is what the $30,000,000 NRA investment buys. Victims of gun violence and this virus are just a cost of doing business.”
"I lost my son Terrell to gun violence in Chicago where guns are easier to acquire than books. The surge in panic gun sales now will result in more illegal guns in our streets later. It will put all our families at risk for increased gun violence in the future,” said Pamela Bosley, the cofounder of Purpose Over Pain.
Kristin Song, a board advisor to the Newtown Action Alliance said, “My son Ethan was killed by a gun that was unsecured in his friend’s home. In the United States, 4.6 million children live in homes with unlocked and unloaded guns and an average of eight children are killed by unintentional shootings every day. Firearm injury is the second leading cause of death for American children and young adults. More guns in our homes during a time when millions of school children are home due to the Coronavirus stay-at-home orders will result in more unintentional gun deaths and injuries.”
“My sister Nina was a domestic violence victim who completed suicide with a gun. More guns in our homes while millions of Americans are practicing social distancing will result in greater isolation that will lead to more gun suicides. I fear for domestic violence victims who are not able to distance themselves from their abusers with guns in a highly stressful environment during this crisis”, said Yvonne Crasso, a board member of the Newtown Action Alliance.
“I am a trauma surgeon in Baltimore and a survivor of gun violence. I know firsthand that where there are more guns, there are more gun deaths and injuries. Panic buying of guns and ammunition will fill the hospital beds with gunshot victims from unintentional shootings, suicides and homicides during a time when hospital beds are critically necessary for Coronavirus patients”, stated Joseph Sakran from Docs Demand Action and @ThisIsOurLane.
“The Trump Administration’s coronavirus guidance is nonbinding. We encourage all governors and mayors to join Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Washington and exclude gun stores from the essential business list in their Coronavirus executive orders. Panic purchases of guns and ammunition during the national emergency will result in more lives lost. The last thing we need during a pandemic are more guns and ammunition in our homes and in our communities. I was shot by my abusive stepfather when I was 13 years old. The Trump Administration should protect all children from gun violence, not gun profits”, said Clai-Lasher Sommers, Executive Director of States United to Prevent Gun Violence.
“The Trump Administration is allowing the gun industry and the lobby to exploit the coronavirus pandemic to sell more guns. Meanwhile, we are seeing reports of spikes in calls to domestic violence and suicide hotlines all across the country, a trend that's appearing around the world as we continue to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Our leaders should be warning Americans of the danger of panic buying weapons, not deeming them essential”, said Igor Volsky, Executive Director of Guns Down America.
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Newtown Action Alliance (http://alliance.newtownaction.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.