Giffords Endorses John Mina for Orange County Sheriff in Florida
The endorsement comes as part of the Giffords #VoteCourage Campaign to elect gun reform candidates nationwide
October 26, 2018— Giffords, the gun safety organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Captain Mark Kelly, announced its endorsement John Mina for Orange County Sheriff in Florida.
An Army veteran and law enforcement officer with more than 25 years experience in the Orlando Police Department, Orlando Police Chief John Mina has dedicated his life to keeping Florida communities safe. He led the local law enforcement response during the Pulse nightclub shooting and knows first-hand the devastating impact that gun violence has on communities. Chief Mina understands that more must be done to protect Floridians and supports life-saving policies such as requiring background checks on all gun sales and opposes efforts to arm teachers.
Statement from former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, co-founder of Giffords:
“Law enforcement officers know that with rights come serious responsibilities. They understand what guns can do in the hands of trained people–and what can happen when guns fall into the hands of dangerous people who want to do our communities harm. Today in America, more than 30,000 people die because of a gunshot every year. This crisis is hurting our communities and the law enforcement officials sworn to protect us.
“Thankfully, at all levels of government, leaders are stepping up and finding ways to address this crisis. John Mina acknowledges the toll gun violence has in his county, and he is working to stop it. He also supports requiring background checks on all gun sales because he knows that these gun safety policies will help save lives and protect Dallas families. Giffords is proud to endorse John Mina for Orange County sheriff, a leader who will never stop working to make his community safer.”
Statement from John Mina
“It is an honor to be endorsed by Giffords. As a law enforcement officer with 28 years experience, I have witnessed the devastating effects that gun violence can have on a community. As the next Orange County Sheriff, I will fight to keep guns out of the hands of criminals because my top priority is the safety of Orange County.”
The 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.
Learn More about the Giffords 2018 political program here.
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Giffords is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives from gun violence. Led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, Navy combat veteran and retired NASA astronaut Captain Mark Kelly, Giffords inspires the courage of people from all walks of life to make America safer.