ARTICLES & PRESS

New Firearm Suicide Prevention Website Launches
(September 9, 2019) As National Suicide Prevention Week begins, the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence is pleased to announce the launch of our new Prevent Firearm Suicide website. Prevent Firearm Suicide addresses a critical -- and little-discussed -- topic. Firearms are used in half of all suicides and make up three of every five gun deaths. The firearm suicide rate has steadily increased over the last decade, and research consistently shows that access to firearms increases the risk of suicide. Putting time and space between someone who may attempt suicide and firearms makes it more likely that they will survive a suicide attempt. Prevent Firearm Suicide provides a variety of ways and resources to do just that.

Tragedy in Texas

(September 1, 2019) Less than a month after the El Paso massacre, Texas is left reeling after another mass shooting.

Senator Amanda Chase Threatens Gun Violence Prevention Groups

(September 20, 2019) Amanda Chase's threats and violent behavior disqualify her from public office. She has no place in America's oldest law-making body. It is time to send her home.

It Is Time to Reinstate the Assault Weapons Ban

(September 25, 2019) Assault weapons, which include military style semi-automatic firearms, are intended to maximize human lethality. They are intended to hunt human beings quickly and efficiently. That is why they have become the weapon of choice for American mass shooters -- they allow killers to murder and injure dozens in a matter of seconds without ever having to stop and reload.

A Historic Hearing on Gun Violence in our Cities

(September 26, 2019) The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence was honored to support today's 'Community Responses to Gun Violence in our Cities' hearing held by the House Judiciary Committee. We thank Chairman Nadler and members of the committee for holding this important discussion -- the first ever congressional hearing dedicated to addressing gun violence in our cities.

Confirmed: The NRA is a Russian Asset

(September 27, 2019) Every NRA endorsed candidate on the ballot must answer for their support from a Russian asset. This begins in 40 days with candidates in the NRA's home state of Virginia and must continue throughout the 2020 presidential elections. Over the past year, the NRA has revealed itself to be corrupt, greedy, and self-serving. With today's report, we now know where they stand -- and it is not on the side of American gun owners.

Preventing Firearm Suicide, Medium

Prevent Firearm Suicide seeks to challenge that narrative. As its name suggests, the website discusses firearm suicide as the preventable public health problem it is. Research consistently shows that access to firearms increases the risk of suicide, and putting time and space between someone who may attempt suicide and firearms makes it more likely that they will survive a suicide attempt. With its data-driven yet approachable format -- ideal for individuals, loved ones, community members, policymakers, and everyone in between -- Prevent Firearm Suicide will be a critical resource for both the gun violence prevention and suicide prevention communities.

Guest opinion: Montana needs new legal tool to reduce suicide risk, Policy Analyst Lisa Geller in the Billings Gazette

Nearly four Montanans die every week from gun violence and nearly six Montanans die every week by suicide. The data shows that the vast majority of firearm deaths in Montana are firearm suicides. Legislative steps must be taken to save lives in Montana. I implore the Montana Legislature to start by passing an Extreme Risk Protection Order.

It's Time to Address Youth Firearm Suicide Policy Analyst Lisa Geller in Medium

While September is Suicide Prevention Month, the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence works to prevent suicide year-round. Best practices to reduce youth firearm suicide must include a combination of policy change and education surrounding the risk of firearms in the home. The most effective way to prevent youth firearm suicide, however, is to keep guns out of the home.

LETTER: Red flag laws save lives, Virginia State Director Lori Haas on Fredericksburg.com

An ERPO-style law has been proposed in Virginia for the last several sessions of the Virginia General Assembly. The Commonwealth of Virginia has seen too much gun violence. It is time to provide this data-driven, life-saving tool to our citizens.

Police feared Odessa shooter was planning attack - 8 years ago, CNN

Adelyn Allchin, Senior Director of Public Health and Policy for the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, said Ator's case highlights the need for federally mandated universal background checks, where all firearm transactions include background checks, as well as red-flag laws. Seventeen states and the District of Columbia have adopted red flag laws. Texas has no such law.

Allchin said Ator "had a history of threatening violence and that is a clear indicator of someone who should be getting an extreme risk protection order. These types of laws are in place for these exact situations."

Why Rep. Abigail Spanberger is all in on gun control, Washington Post

Lori Haas, the Virginia State Director at the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, rejects the notion, once orthodoxy in Virginia, that conservative voters are against gun control.

"Doing nothing has become so politically toxic to Republicans that they're crossing the aisle and voting for Democrats," said Haas, whose daughter was wounded in the 2007 massacre at Virginia Tech.

Will Universal Background Checks for Gun Buyers Ever Become Law?, Fortune

Andrew Patrick, Media Director for the Washington, D.C.-based Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV), said he was a bit optimistic about Trump seeking gun reform after this month's mass shootings, and defying the NRA, which has recently undergone leadership and financial issues, because he thinks the president "hates to be associated with a loser."

'Nobody needs a 100-round magazine': Va. GOP candidate backs gun control, Washington Post

Although a handful of Virginia Republicans expressed support for limited gun control, Kastelberg goes further than any of them, said Lori Haas, State Director for the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. "It's not surprising in that suburban district that any candidate would be trying to answer the demands of the voters," Haas said. "I don't know a suburban woman who doesn't support stronger gun laws."

Letters to the Editor for Sunday, September 22, 2019, The News & Advance

According to the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence, each week an average of 20 Virginians die by firearm, while the firearm homicide rate in Virginia has increased 45 percent since 2013! Moreover, Virginia is one of the top exporters of guns used in crimes. More Virginians are killed annually by gunfire than in car accidents.

Colt will no longer make AR-15s for civilians, but gun control advocates might not have much to celebrate, CNBC

"With the timing, it makes you scratch your head and wonder if they're not serving the political winds around this issue," said Andrew Patrick, director of political communications at the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. Colt was unavailable for comment.

As far as what the company's decision means for gun control, Patrick isn't sure. "Colt has a name associated with it and there is a history around Colt's firearms so I think there is a symbolism there," Patrick said. "Will it start a trend? I'm skeptical but it's progress. There will be one less AR manufacturer, and that's always a good thing."

Campaign misfire, as Sen. Chase changes Facebook ad on gun groups, Richmond Times-Dispatch

Lori Haas, Virginia Director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, took the original statement personally. "When Senator Chase says she'll 'shoot down gun groups,' she's talking about me," said Haas, whose daughter Emily was wounded in the shooting that killed 32 students and teachers at Virginia Tech in 2007.

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Director of African-American and Community Outreach Kayla Hicks assisted Representative Lucy McBath in preparation for Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) week in Washington, DC by helping put together the GVP panel -- alongside DC Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Roger Mitchell. She also assisted with confirming Rep. McBath to speak at the National Medical Associations forum and attended several events representing the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence during CBC.

On September 16, Senior Director of Public Health & Policy Adelyn Allchin, and Director of Law & Policy Yasmín Fletcher presented at the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence 2019 Conference on Disarm Domestic Violence: A Comprehensive Guide to State Domestic Violence-Related Firearm Laws.

On September 19, Community Engagement Coordinator Lauren Footman was recognized by the Philadelphia Tribune as a Top 10 Under 40 Award Recipient for Most Influential Individuals in Philadelphia.

On September 24, Director of Federal Affairs Dakota Jablon presented at the LA County Suicide Prevention Network's event, "A Conversation about Firearm Safety in Los Angeles County".

On September 24, Senior Director of Law & Policy Kelly Roskam, and Policy Analyst Lisa Geller hosted a webinar with the House of Ruth Maryland on the use of guns in domestic violence.

On September 25, Policy Analyst Lisa Geller spoke at the Rally to #EndGunViolence.

On September 28, Senior Director of Public Health & Policy Adelyn Allchin, Senior Director of Advocacy Lori Haas, and Director of Law & Policy Yasmín Fletcher presented at the 2019 Gun Violence Symposium for Virginia Clinicians and Medical Professionals at St. Mary's Hospital in Richmond, Virginia on lethal means safety counseling, policy prescriptions to prevent gun violence, and intimate partner violence, respectively.