Giffords Responds to President Trump Directing Department of Justice to Ban Bump Stocks
February 20, 2018 — Today, Giffords, the gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, responded to President Donald Trump’s decision to direct the Department of Justice to move forward with a ban on bump stocks and similar devices.
Peter Ambler, Giffords Executive Director:
“Let’s be clear: what Donald Trump proposed today is not a sufficient response to the gun violence crisis that is killing America’s kids. Instead, Donald Trump is trying to escape blame by playing catch up with our kids’ safety. A real leader would have gotten Congress to pass a ban on bump stocks after the horror of Las Vegas – the worst mass shooting in modern American history. But the president is proposing too little too late.
“It is unconscionable that in the aftermath of the Parkland shooting that killed 17 people, Donald Trump still backs the NRA’s top political priority, federally mandated concealed carry reciprocity. Lax concealed carry laws like those in Florida have proven through research to contribute to increases in violent crime. This inaction is outrageous, and people will remained outraged as long as the president follows the NRA’s direction while simply paying lip service to the safety of American communities.”
Important Resources from Giffords:
- Factsheet: Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act
- Statement: Gabby Giffords on the House Vote to Approve Concealed Carry Reciprocity
- Op-Ed: Mark Kelly Calls on Congress to Oppose Concealed Carry Reciprocity
- Myths & Facts: 7 Myths about Concealed Carry Reciprocity the Gun Lobby Wants You to Believe
After the Las Vegas shooting, Giffords and SiX Action, an advocacy organization committed to achieving change at the state level, released a state legislative toolkit for addressing bump stocks, that details legislative options for lawmakers who want to take action. States can protect their communities by looking to other legislation that has been enacted or introduced at the state and federal level.
Related Releases:
- Giffords Applauds New Jersey for Passing New Law to Ban Bump Stocks [January 15, 2018]
- Giffords Releases Framework for Congress to Reduce Gun Violence in the Aftermath of the Las Vegas Shooting [October 5, 2017]
- Gun Safety Groups Demand Disclosure of Role NRA Played in Influencing Trump Administration Gun Policy, Response to Las Vegas Tragedy [October 10, 2017]
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