Release: Just Launched: Ohioans for Responsible Solutions
July 27, 2013
For Immediate Release
JUST LAUNCHED: OHIOANS FOR RESPONSIBLE SOLUTIONS
Members of Group Founded by Gabby Giffords, Mark Kelly to Organize Grassroots Effort
This week, local members of Americans for Responsible Solutions (ARS), the gun violence prevention group founded by Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly, kicked off a statewide presence in the Buckeye State with Ohioans for Responsible Solutions meetings in Cleveland and Columbus.
“Thousands of people like me in Ohio want our elected officials to find reasonable solutions to reduce gun violence,” said Cleveland resident Beverly Moffet. “As a retired attorney, I know we have to do more to protect our community and our families, and I also know we can do so while respecting responsible gun ownership. We will be working hard here in Cleveland so that our voices are heard.”
“We have a real problem with gun crime here in Ohio, and it won’t get better unless we all work together on real solutions,” said Jennifer Schaaf, a Columbus resident. “I’m proud to join with Ohioans for Responsible Solutions and with Mark and Gabby to show elected officials at every level that we want them to enact laws to keep guns away from dangerous people.”
“People in the Buckeye State know the terrible toll gun violence takes on communities,” said ARS Executive Director Pia Carusone. “We’re excited about what the 18,000-plus Ohioans for Responsible Solutions will accomplish because they represent a rich cross-section of the community: gun owners and non-gun owners alike, law enforcement officials, victims of gun violence, faith leaders, moms, and voters of all political stripes from every part of the state.”
Ohioans for Responsible Solutions launched two chapters in Cleveland and Columbus, where local volunteers will lead the effort on the ground to mobilize members to contact elected officials.
Giffords and Kelly recently traveled to the Buckeye State during their Rights and Responsibilities Tour, visiting seven states in seven days to remind elected officials that there is broad public support for sensible laws that prevent gun violence, such as expanded background checks.
ARS also announced this week that its super PAC has raised nearly $6.5 million since the group’s founding in January, with donations from a staggering 72,000 supporters.
Across the country, ARS is working in local communities to build an organization with millions of people who are committed to finding sensible ways to reduce gun violence and encouraging elected officials to enact responsible firearms policies. Today, ARS stands more than 500,000 strong.
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