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RELEASE: Giffords Endorses Ned Lamont for Governor in Connecticut

 The endorsement comes as part of the Giffords #VoteCourage campaign to elect gun reform candidates nationwide 

October 15, 2018— Giffords, the gun safety organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Captain Mark Kelly, announced its endorsement of Ned Lamont for governor of Connecticut.

In 2012, Connecticut witnessed one of the most horrific mass shootings in American history when 20 children and six staff members were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown. In the years since, the state has served as an example to the nation by passing several lifesaving gun safety measures. There is more work to do, however, especially when it comes to preventing gun violence in underserved urban neighborhoods. Ned Lamont understands this need and will fight to expand funding for Project Longevity, a proven community-based violence intervention program. A principled father, businessman, and public servant, Ned will ensure that Connecticut continues to lead the nation when it comes to saving lives from gun violence.

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

“America experienced three of the deadliest mass shootings in modern history in just the past year. Over 38,000 people in our country were killed by a gun in 2016. Connecticut has suffered from this crisis: somebody is killed by a gun in Connecticut every two days. Despite this devastating reality, the gun lobby continues to use its cash and influence to try and stop state legislatures from passing laws to make our schools, streets, and communities safer.

“Ned Lamont acknowledges the toll of gun violence in his state, and he is working to stop it. His leadership will be critical for our next victories in Connecticut to prevent future tragedies. Giffords is proud to endorse Ned, who has the courage to stand up to the corporate gun lobby and who will never stop working to save lives.”

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. 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. 

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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.