ARS Gun Safety Organization Responds To Gun Violence Discussion At Virginia Gubernatorial Debate

July 22, 2017

July 22, 2017 — Americans for Responsible Solutions PAC, the gun safety organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband Captain Mark Kelly, released the following statement responding to the discussion of Virginia’s gun violence crisis in the first Virginia gubernatorial debate.

Peter Ambler, Executive Director, Americans for Responsible Solutions PAC:

“The job of any Virginia governor is to ensure the safety and security of its citizens, including the roughly 900 Virginians who are killed by guns every year. Today, we heard Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam discuss the importance of protecting Virginia families and communities from gun violence. On the other hand, Ed Gillespie made it clear that he would allow individuals to openly carry firearms into state office buildings and oppose commonsense gun safety measures, like universal background checks, that the overwhelming majority of Virginians support. Virginians are looking for a governor who will protect their Second Amendment rights, keep guns out of dangerous hands and make Virginia safer from gun violence, not someone who will act as a rubber stamp for the Washington gun lobby’s dangerous agenda.”

Earlier this year, Americans for Responsible Solutions PAC hosted the first-ever Virginia gubernatorial candidate forum focused exclusively on gun safety issues. The forum, which was attended by Virginia’s two Democratic gubernatorial candidates provided an opportunity for the candidates to share their views about addressing gun violence in Virginia and their plans to keep families safe.