Meet 15 Veterans Running for Office Who Support Gun Reform

Veterans are in a unique position to solve America’s gun violence epidemic.

Veterans know firsthand the harm guns can do in a school, a church, or a movie theater—when they are left in the hands of dangerous people.

We are proud to endorse more than a dozen veterans who are running for elected office, because they’ll never stop fighting to defend Americans from threats of all kinds—including from gun violence.

These veterans vowed to protect Americans while serving in the military, and now they’re ready to fight for them in Washington. All of these candidates:

• Support background checks on all gun sales
• Oppose concealed carry reciprocity
• Support federal funding for the CDC to research gun violence as a public health issue

Take a look at the veterans and gun safety champions we’ve endorsed for elected office.

 Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Amy McGrath, Kentucky – 6th Congressional District 

The first female Marine aviator to fly in an F-18 in combat, Amy McGrath has never been afraid to take on a challenging mission.

She is running for Congress in her home state of Kentucky in order to shake up the dangerous status quo of Congress. As a veteran, Amy knows how important it is to address gun violence. She supports increased funding for Centers for Disease Control (CDC) research and keeping firearms out of the hands of criminals, domestic abusers, and terrorists.

 Lieutenant Commander (Ret.) Gil Cisneros, California – 39th Congressional District 

A former US Naval Officer, Gil Cisneros believes American families deserve to feel safe in their communities. Gil has been an outspoken advocate for safer gun laws. He’s pledged not only to support gun safety in Congress, but to serve as a true champion of change.

 Captain (Ret.) Jason Crow, Colorado – 6th Congressional District 

Jason Crow served in the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division and the 75th Ranger Regiment, completing three combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Jason knows the devastation that guns in dangerous hands can cause and has called on Congress take up and pass laws proven to reduce gun violence. He has pledged to never take a dime from the gun lobby and to refuse all corporate PAC contributions.

His opponent couldn’t be more different. Jason is running against NRA favorite Mike Coffman who has accepted more than $100,000 from the gun lobby despite representing the district home to both the Columbine and Aurora shootings. 

 Captain (Ret.) Lupe Valdez, Texas Governor 

Sheriff Lupe Valdez believes the primary duty of the governor of Texas should be to ensure the safety of Texans. By this measure, Sheriff Valdez is far and away the best candidate for the job.

As a retired member of the US Army, a gun owner and a member of the Giffords Law Enforcement Coalition, Sheriff Valdez knows we can keep our communities safe from gun violence by keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous people while still protecting our Second Amendment rights. Sheriff Valdez supports commonsense gun laws, like universal background checks and closing loopholes that allow convicted domestic abusers and other dangerous individuals to legally purchase firearms.

 Lieutenant (Ret.) Mikie Sherrill, New Jersey – 11th Congressional District 

As a Naval Academy graduate, Navy pilot, and former federal prosecutor, Mikie knows what it means to stand up for the safety of American families. Mikie’s experience has given her a unique perspective on the steps our country needs to take to reduce crime and combat gun violence. If elected, she would bring that experience to Washington and to the fight for safer gun laws.

 Captain (Ret.) Conor Lamb, Pennsylvania, 17th Congressional District 

Congressman Conor Lamb is a former US Marine Corps captain and federal prosecutor. He completed active duty service in 2013 and continues to serve as a major in the Marine Corps Reserves. In his short time in Congress, Conor has already supported legislation to expand background checks. We’re proud to support his continued leadership in the fight to keep Americans safe from gun violence.

 Captain (Ret.) Gina Ortiz Jones, Texas, 23rd Congressional District 

US Air Force veteran and former Iraq intelligence officer Gina Ortiz Jones is a career civil servant who is sick of the complacency and corruption in the White House and Congress.

When she wins in November, Gina will make history: it will be the first time a lesbian, Iraq War veteran, and first-generation Filipina-American is elected to a US House seat in Texas, and it will also be a huge win for every American who wants to see gun reform in our country.

 Commander (Ret.) Elaine Luria, Virginia – 2nd Congressional District 

As a Navy commander, Elaine Luria’s chief priority was to keep our country safe. As a candidate for Virginia’s 2nd district, her priority hasn’t changed. She’s a natural choice to represent the district with the world’s largest navy base. Elaine has made gun violence prevention a top priority, supporting repeal of the Dickey Amendment, universal background checks, and keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals.

 Corporal (Ret.) Ruben Gallego, Arizona — 7th Congressional District 

A former US Marine who served in Iraq, Congressman Ruben Gallego has a unique understanding of firearms. Congressman Gallego supports requiring background checks for all gun sales, banning bump stocks, restarting federal research into gun violence, and enacting extreme risk protection orders. He’s a proven leader when it comes to keeping communities across the nation safe, having introduced legislation to promote responsible behavior among licensed firearm dealers.

 Captain (Ret.) Chrissy Houlahan, Pennsylvania – 6th Congressional District 

As an Air Force veteran, educator, and business leader, Chrissy Houlahan knows what leadership looks like. Gun violence prevention is among the issues closest to Chrissy, who is a former teacher and the relative of a first responder to the tragic Sandy Hook massacre. As someone who faithfully served her country for years and is committed to continuing to serve her country by fighting the gun violence epidemic, Chrissy Houlahan is exactly the kind of leader that Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District deserves.

 Colonel (Ret.) Anthony Brown, Maryland, 4th Congressional District 

Congressman Anthony Brown is a decorated Army veteran and former lieutenant governor who has served his country and community with distinction, including on issues of public safety.

Since being elected to Congress in 2016, Anthony has supported legislation to expand background checks, restart gun violence research at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ban assault weapons, and allow the temporary removal of firearms from people in crisis. He voted against dangerous concealed carry reciprocity legislation and measures which weaken important laws and procedures designed to keep guns out of the hands of people in crisis.

 Captain (Ret.) Tom Carper, Delaware Senator 

A Naval officer for more than 20 years, Senator Tom Carper dedicated his life to protecting Americans and hasn’t let up since. He has consistently voted to expand background checks and has for years helped spearhead efforts to federally fund gun violence research. Senator Carper also supports a prohibition on gun access for abusive dating partners and stalkers, as well as a ban on bump stocks, assault weapons, and high-capacity magazines.

 Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Mike Thompson, California – 5th Congressional District 

Congressman Mike Thompson served in combat as a platoon leader with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, where he was wounded and received a Purple Heart. Mike is also one of the most dedicated gun safety champions in Congress.

In the wake of the massacre at Sandy Hook , Mike was named Chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, which was charged with developing comprehensive policy proposals to reduce and prevent gun violence in America. He introduced bipartisan legislation to expand background checks and close gun show and internet sales loopholes. He’s fought at every turn to make communities safer, both in California and across the nation—and shows no signs of slowing down.

 Lieutenant (Ret.) Jimmy Panetta, California – 20th Congressional District 

Congressman Jimmy Panetta is a veteran who has worked tirelessly to keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals. Congressman Panetta supports expanding background checks, allowing families and law enforcement to petition courts for the temporary removal of firearms from people in crisis, restricting assault weapons, and preventing stalkers and abusive dating partners from possessing firearms.

Jimmy has also introduced legislation that would remove firearms from convicted felons and other prohibited individuals, and he voted against dangerous concealed carry reciprocity legislation that would force states to allow hidden, loaded guns to be carried across state lines.

 Sergeant (Ret.) Salud Carbajal, California, 24th Congressional District 

Congressman Salud Carbajal is a US Marine Corps veteran who has proven himself to be a leader in preventing gun violence. Inspired to fight for change after the 2014 shooting that killed seven people in Isla Vista, California, Congressman Carbajal has used his personal experience with gun violence to inform his policy agenda, serving as the lead sponsor of legislation to allow courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals in crisis. Salud will continue to work across the aisle to build consensus with his Republican colleagues and make American communities safer.

This November, voters have the chance to elect leaders like these with the courage to keep our communities safe. Let’s make sure we elect a Congress that answers to us, and not to the gun lobby.