RELEASE: Giffords Endorses Cort VanOstran for Congress in Missouri

Washington, DC — Giffords, the gun safety organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Captain Mark Kelly, announced its endorsement of  Cort VanOstran in Missouri’s second congressional district. 

Cort VanOstran is a lawyer and educator. A native of rural Missouri, Cort understands that it is possible to respect the rights of responsible gun owners while also taking steps to keep our communities and families safe from gun violence. Cort will not be afraid to stand up to the corporate gun lobby by fighting to expand background checks and keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals.

“This year, voters are demanding leaders who offer more than thoughts and prayers when it comes to gun violence. They’re no longer willing to accept politicians who can’t imagine a world where schools, workplaces, churches, and communities are safe places, where our children don’t have to live in fear. The level of gun violence we experience in our country is not normal and thankfully, we finally have leaders running for office who have the courage to fight to finally address it,” said Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, co-founder of Giffords. “Voters are ready to elect Cort VanOstran because he will always put protecting their communities over helping the gun lobby make a profit. Giffords is proud to endorse him for Congress because he will never stop fighting for what’s right.”

Giffords’  #VoteCourage campaign  aims to elect gun safety advocates to Congress and defeat politicians who have historically worked against gun reform, or done nothing at all to prevent gun violence. The political program targets incumbents in mostly suburban districts and uses a mixture of TV and digital advertising, on-the-ground organizing, and a voter registration push to create momentum for meaningful progress on gun safety. Learn More about the Giffords 2018 political program here.