RELEASE: Giffords Endorses Slate of Gun Safety Champions in Vermont

October 11, 2018

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

October 11, 2018 — Giffords, the gun safety organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Captain Mark Kelly, announced its endorsement of candidates for Vermont legislature.

Vermont, a state with a strong gun culture and high gun ownership rates, had virtually no gun laws before this year when leaders in Montpelier enacted a number of strong gun safety proposals. The new measures signed into law will require background checks on most gun sales, raise the minimum age for purchasing long guns, and limit magazine capacity. Vermont also established an extreme risk protective order to temporarily disarm individuals who pose a heightened danger to themselves or others, and gave law enforcement the authority to remove firearms from domestic abusers, helping to protect women and families. These laws will make Vermont communities safer from gun violence, and Giffords is proud to endorse the following bipartisan leaders who supported these critical gun safety measures.

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. Vermont has suffered from this crisis: somebody is killed by a gun in Vermont every five 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. “The candidates we are endorsing today acknowledge the toll of gun violence in their state, and they are working to stop it. Their leadership will be critical for our next victories in Vermont to prevent future tragedies. Giffords is proud to endorse these leaders, who have the courage to stand up to the corporate gun lobby and who will never stop working to save lives.”

The newly-endorsed candidates include:

House

Janet Ancel (Washington-6)
Fred Baser (Addison-4)
Tim Briglin (Windsor-Orange-2)
Cynthia Browning (Bennington-4)
Jessica Brumsted (Chittenden-5-2)
Annmarie Christensen (Windsor-2)
Brian Cina (Chittenden-6-4)
Selina Colburn (Chittenden-6-4)
Sarah Copeland-Hanzas (Orange-2)
Joey Donovan (Chittenden-6-5)
Peter Fagan (Rutland-5-1)
Maxine Grad (Washington-7)
Sandy Haas (Windsor-Rutland)
Mitzi Johnson (Grand Isle-Chittenden)
Ben Joseph (Grand Isle-Chittenden)
Jill Krowinski (Chittenden-6-3)
Diane Lanpher (Addison-3)
Mike Mrowicki (Windham-4)
Carol Ode (Chittenden-6-1)
Jean O’Sullivan (Chittenden-6-2)
Ann Pugh (Chittenden-7-2)
Ed Read (Washington-7)
Robin Scheu (Addison-1)
Mary Sullivan (Chittenden-6-5)
Chip Troiano (Caledonia-2)
Tommy Walz (Washington-3)
Theresa Wood (Washington-Chittenden)
Kurt Wright (Chittenden-6-1)
Mike Yantachka (Chittenden-4-1)

Senate

Tim Ashe (Chittenden District)
Becca Balint (Windham District)
Phil Baruth (Chittenden District)
Chris Bray (Addison District)
Brian Campion (Bennington District)
Alison Clarkson (Windsor District)
Ann Cummings (Washington District)
Debbie Ingram (Chittenden District)
Ginny Lyons (Chittenden District)
Mark MacDonald (Orange District)
Dick McCormack (Windsor District)
Chris Pearson (Chittenden District)
Anthony Pollina (Washington District)
Michael Sirotkin (Chittenden District)
Jeanette White (Windham District)

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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