What’s Next? – A Message From Newtown Action Alliance

For Immediate Release:
April 30, 2013

Media Contact:
info@newtownaction.org

Message from Newtown Action Alliance

Newtown, CT – April 30, 2013 – Tuesday, May 7 Colin Goddard, a Virginia Tech Massacre Survivor and activist for the Brady Campaign Against Gun Violence, Elliot Fineman, President and CEO of National Gun Victim’s Action Council (NGAC), and Josh Horwitz, Executive Director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV) will be featured panelists at “What’s Next for Gun Safety….“Understanding and Uniting the Broad Middle” forum is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Newtown High School Lecture Hall located at 12 Berkshire Road, Newtown, CT. A Director from Michael Bloomberg’s Mayors Against Illegal Guns will also participate.   The event is free and will also be streamed live at newtownaction.org.  The Newtown Action Alliance and The Newtown Foundation are hosting and moderating the event.

“The goal of the forum is address the question of “What’s Next?” that seems to be on everyone’s minds following the failure of Congress to implement common sense gun regulations that nearly 90% of the American public support”, according to Dave Ackert, Founder & Chairman of the Newtown Action Alliance.  These panelists will share their unique and intimate knowledge on the gun violence topic.  Goddard and Fineman were directly affected by gun violence; during the Virginia Tech massacre, Goddard survived four gunshot wounds, and in 2006, Fineman’s adult son, while dining out with his wife, was killed by a schizophrenic using a legally obtained weapon.

Goddard, now an activist with the Brady Campaign, uses his experience to educate others about the state of our gun laws. Living for 32, a film documenting his journey from shooting victim to activist was an official selection of the Sundance Film Festival in 2011.  He’s also been featured on the Oprah Winfrey show, ABC Nightly News, CNN, etc.

After his son’s tragic murder, Fineman’s initial concern was the appalling state of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Later in 2010, Elliot founded the National Gun Victim’s Action Council (NGAC) to provide an economic lever leading to sane national and state gun laws. He also is a senior member of the Brady PAC–Illinois.

Horwitz is the Executive Director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV) in DC, and has spent nearly two decades working on gun violence prevention.  He developed the long-term strategy to close illegal firearms markets focusing attention on the huge gaps in our nation’s gun laws that easily allow criminals to obtain firearms.  His work includes implementation of policies such as closing the gun show loophole.  Horwitz has managed dozens of campaigns at the state and federal level, has represented victims and municipalities in suits against the gun industry, and testifies before Congress and other state and local legislative bodies.

About Newtown Action Alliance

An all-volunteer, all-inclusive, grassroots organization dedicated to reversing the national gun violence epidemic through the introduction of smarter, safer gun laws and cultural change.  Please visit www.newtownaction.org to join or for more information.