Communities Turn Out to Call on Congress to Fight Gun Violence
In every corner of the country, Americans are continuing to come together, speak out, and demand action to make our communities safer from gun violence.
To elevate their voices we teamed up with our friends from March for Our Lives, Town Hall Project, TOMS, and Levi’s to give a platform to those calling for change.
Together, we hosted a nationwide series of Gun Safety Town Halls to rally support for H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 that would establish a background check on every gun sale.
With the House of Representatives expected to take a vote on this lifesaving bill within days, find out how communities are making their voices heard.
Denver, Colorado | Washington Street Community Center
Our first event in Denver packed the Washington Street Community Center with more than 100 people who gathered to hear from—and ask questions of—gun violence prevention experts, local advocates, and Congressman Joe Neguse about steps we must take to make our country safer.
“Experts, local advocates, and gun violence survivors were all in attendance tonight sharing the same message: “We want to relay that progress is really happening.”
Austin, Texas | Townlake YMCA
In Austin, student activists spoke to Congressman Lloyd Doggett and community members asked experts about the details of the Bipartisan Background Checks Act. At the end of the meeting, the group discussed what actions need to be taken before the background checks bill comes up for a vote.
CBS Austin: Gun Safety Advocates Push for Universal Background Checks
“The town hall is part of an effort calling on lawmakers to strengthen gun laws. Congressman Lloyd Doggett joined the event to push for HR 8, a bill that would require universal background checks for gun purchases nationwide. He said it’s just one small step in curbing gun violence, but called it a ‘necessary one.’…”
FOX7: Push for Better Gun Regulations in Central Texas
“Saturday neighbors, politicians and students gathered in Central Austin to discuss gun violence in the U.S. Giffords, the gun violence prevention organization co-founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, teamed up with March for Our Lives and the Town Hall Project to spread awareness.”
Raleigh, North Carolina | John P “Top” Greene Community Center
In Raleigh, the panel showed how stakeholders with different experiences and reasons for calling for an end to the gun violence epidemic—from doctors to students to elected officials—are rallying together. Community members shared their stories and encouraged others to call Congress.
WRAL Raleigh: ‘It’s Pretty Scary.’ Local Students Join National Panel in Call for Gun Safety
“The national Gun Safety Town Hall made a stop at the John P. “Top” Greene Community Center in Raleigh on Wednesday night to push for support for the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019, also known as HR8. The panel at Wednesday night’s event was comprised of victims of gun violence who are stopping in towns across the country to ask communities to support the bill.”
ABC 11: Cary Mass Shooting Survivor, Elected Officials Discuss Gun Bill Proposal in Raleigh
“Tucked away in a room in the John P. “Top” Greene Community Center in Raleigh Wednesday evening were dozens of community members, elected officials, and supporters of a proposed gun bill. Kim Yaman was among those in attendance. The Cary resident was on the campus of the University of Iowa in 1991 when Gang Lu shot and killed 6 people on campus in a mass shooting.”
Charleston, South Carolina | Ebenezer AME Church
Less than a mile from the site of the Charleston massacre at the Emanuel AME Church, the community showed up in force to learn about closing loopholes in our gun laws, including the Charleston Loophole. The all-star panel included Congressman Joe Cunningham, the Charleston Police Department’s Chief of Staff, Dr. Joseph Sakran, student activists, and more.
WCBD: Panel discussion on gun laws to close the Charleston Loophole
“The panel, made up of national organizations like Gifford’s gun violence prevention and March for our Lives and local representatives, answered questions from attendees and shared personal stories of the effects of gun violence.”
WCSC: People voice desire for change at gun safety town hall
“This forum comes during the same time of local leaders trying to push bills through the house that would close the ‘Charleston Loophole.’ The diverse panel included Congressmen Joe Cunningham, a Ft. Dorchester High School Student advocate, the sister of a woman shot and killed, and a veteran were just a few of the people introduced to speak to the crowd. During the town hall, the panel spoke in favor of change. ‘I realize we can’t legislate evil, but we can take common sense step to make sure firearms don’t fall into the hands of mentally ill or felons,’ Congressman Joe Cunningham said.”
What came through in every conversation is that Americans are tired of gun violence taking so many lives. From different perspectives, backgrounds, and professions participants were united in demanding that Congress take a critical first step in addressing this crisis by passing a universal background check bill.
The steady drumbeat is being heard in Washington DC as the House of Representatives is on the verge of passing the first gun safety bill in decades. This tour proved that Americans won’t be satisfied with inaction. They are going to keep the pressure on the Senate to pass this legislation and the president to sign it. We are going to keep at it and make sure step by step, we continue marching toward progress.
TELL CONGRESS YOU SUPPORT UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS
Use our Call Congress tool to tell your representative that you support H.R.8, the Bipartisan Universal Background Checks Act of 2019. We’ll call your phone and patch you through.
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