Newtown Action Alliance Strongly Supports the Democratic Party Platform on Gun Violence Prevention

For Immediate Release
July 5, 2016

Contact:
John Kelley
917-679-6475
jkelley@newtownaction.org

Newtown Action Alliance Strongly Supports the Democratic Party Platform on Gun Violence Prevention

Newtown, CT – The Newtown Action Alliance released the following statement after the Democratic National Committee published its draft copy of the 2016 Democratic Party Platform on Friday.

“The Newtown Action Alliance was fueled by a desire for Newtown to be remembered as a place where change began rather than a place where a sick gunman killed 20 innocent first-grade children and six educators in an elementary school. On Friday, the Democratic National Committee took appropriate steps to ensure that we are one step closer to accomplishing our mission. The strong language drafted in the party platform demonstrates that gun violence prevention is now squarely an issue the Democratic Party will fight for in this election. This move is a historic victory for the gun violence prevention movement.

The difference between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party’s position on gun violence prevention could not be more stark. The presumptive GOP Presidential nominee Donald Trump, supports the corporate gun lobby’s dangerous “guns everywhere to anyone” agenda. He insulted the Newtown families and the Newtown community by stating that it was a “great honor” to receive the endorsement of a man who claims Sandy Hook was a hoax organized by the Obama administration. His stance on guns in every classroom is also misguided and dangerous.

Meanwhile, Secretary Hillary Clinton has strongly demonstrated that she will go toe-to-toe with the gun lobby. She has stood with the families and communities impacted by gun violence and as our President of the United States and a grandmother of two, she will fight every single day to end gun violence in our nation.

We must also elect Congressional members who will support the President’s efforts to reduce gun violence. There have been more than 100,000 gun deaths since the Sandy Hook tragedy and the majority of Republicans and a few Democrats in Congress continue to block common sense gun laws. Congressional members who cater to the corporate gun lobby has turned their backs on the vast majority of Americans who support common sense measures to keep guns – including weapons of war – away from dangerous people or those with mental illness. They are culpable for the escalating mass shootings and senseless gun deaths on our streets, but Americans who do not hold their elected leaders accountable are also culpable. We encourage all voters to elect candidates who support the Democratic Party Platform on gun violence prevention.”

“Gun Violence Prevention
With 33,000 Americans dying every year, Democrats believe that we must finally take sensible action to address gun violence. While gun ownership is part of the fabric of many communities, too many families in America have suffered from gun violence. We can respect the rights of responsible gun owners while keeping our communities safe. We will expand background checks and close dangerous loopholes in our current laws, hold irresponsible dealers and manufacturers accountable, keep weapons of war—such as assault weapons—off our streets, and ensure guns do not fall into the hands of terrorists, domestic abusers, other violent criminals, and those with severe mental health issues.”

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The Newtown Action Alliance (www.newtownaction.org) is a grassroots organization formed after the tragic shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School. It works to make America’s children, families, and all citizens safer through legislative and cultural change that will reduce gun violence in our nation.