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Giffords Supports Gun Safety Champion Gavin Newsom for California Governor

January 26, 2018 — Today, Giffords, the gun safety organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Captain Mark Kelly, endorsed gun safety champion Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom’s run for California Governor.

Statement from former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Co-founder of Giffords:

“California’s next governor will play an important role in building on the state’s reputation as a leader in the fight against gun violence. California has set an example for other states to follow and has tackled the epidemic head on, but there is more work to be done. Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom’s exceptional record as a gun safety champion makes him uniquely qualified to take on that challenge.

“Every year, over 30,000 Americans are killed by a gun, but our leaders in Washington refuse to acknowledge or address our nation’s gun violence crisis. That’s why we need leaders at the state level who will stand up for the safety of their constituents and take action. Gavin has shown that he has the courage to stand up to the gun lobby and fight for a safer California. Giffords is proud to endorse Lieutenant Governor Newsom to be California’s next Governor. He has demonstrated time and time again that he is the type of leader who will fight for solutions to reduce gun violence and keep California’s families safe.”

Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom:

“I’m so honored to receive the support of Gabby and Mark — two incredible advocates and selfless public servants. I have long admired their work across the country fighting to end gun violence, and I’ve been proud to partner with them to strengthen our gun safety laws here in California.

“93 Americans are killed by gun violence every day. This is a moral failure and a national crisis. We cannot be bystanders, our leaders – especially those in Washington — can and must do more to save lives and reduce the violence that has plagued our nation for far too long.”

Throughout his career in public service, Newsom has helped California lead the way in passing solutions to help prevent gun violence. As Mayor of San Francisco, he established an anonymous tip-line that allowed callers to share information with law enforcement about illegal firearms and oversaw an increase in the seizure of these guns.

He also partnered with Giffords Law Center on California’s Proposition 63, which was approved in 2016 and established a clear, verifiable process for relinquishing the guns of newly convicted criminals, required reporting of lost or stolen firearms, prohibited the possession of military-style large capacity ammunition magazines, and required background checks on ammunition purchasers. Newsom was instrumental to Proposition 63 passing with 63 percent of the vote.

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