GOOD AFTERNOON John,

In order to share the good work the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV) and Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence (Ed Fund) have been doing, we are sending out a monthly update with articles and press featuring our staff. We want to remind you that the best way to stay up-to-date is to visit www.csgv.org and www.efsgv.org as well as follow us on social media including Facebook and Twitter.

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twitter.com/CSGV

As usual, don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or ideas. Thank you for your continued support.


Best,

Josh Horwitz
Executive Director

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STATEMENTS & PRESS RELEASES

Victory in Virginia ([link removed])
(November 5, 2019) "After my daughter survived the massacre at Virginia Tech 12 years ago, I knew that Virginia's lax gun laws must change. It has taken too long and cost too many lives, but with tonight's results, change has finally come to the Commonwealth...Tonight, voters in Virginia chose a safer Commonwealth. They sent the message that inaction is no longer acceptable and there will be consequences for those who continue to carry water for the gun lobby."


New Report Details Firearm Suicide Epidemic Among Veterans and Military Members ([link removed])
(November 11, 2019) "As the nation honors our veterans on this solemn holiday, the epidemic of veteran suicide must not be ignored. It is an issue that deserves the attention of every lawmaker, advocate, and citizen. Policies and programs pertaining to reducing access to lethal means, especially firearms, must be part of any comprehensive suicide prevention strategy. Our veterans deserve that and so much more."


Mitch McConnell's Failure on Full Display in Santa Clarita ([link removed])
(November 14, 2019) "The inaction of Senate Majority Leader McConnell on all gun legislation is disgraceful. His cowardly obedience to the formerly influential National Rifle Association (NRA) has once again resulted in the loss of American lives. The Majority Leader and NRA minions in Congress are directly responsible -- and they should be ashamed of themselves...How many more communities need to go through what Santa Clarita is experiencing right now? Enough is Enough. Leader McConnell, it is time for a vote."


Senator Ernst's Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act Does Not Protect Women ([link removed])
(November 20, 2019) "Guns and domestic violence are a lethal combination. When an abusive partner has access to a firearm, the risk that the other partner (usually a woman) will be killed increases more than five-fold. We know that restricting abusers access to guns is an effective policy -- reducing domestic violence homicide by as much as 25%."


Lawrence VanDyke Has No Place on a Federal Court ([link removed])
(November 21, 2019) "This morning, the Senate advanced the nomination of Lawrence VanDyke for a lifetime appointment to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals by a party-line vote.
The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence strongly opposes the nomination of VanDyke to the Ninth Circuit. In the words of the American Bar Association, VanDyke has shown himself to be lazy, arrogant, an ideologue, and not qualified for the position for which he has been nominated. Lawrence VanDyke's own words have indicated that he is unable to serve as a fair and impartial justice on the issue of guns and gun violence prevention."


CSGV Applauds Kentucky's Bipartisan ERPO Hearing ([link removed])
(November 22, 2019) "Today, a small bipartisan group of Kentucky Senators are pushing back on that myth. Senators Paul Hornback, Julie Racque Adams, and Morgan McGarvey -- two Republicans and a Democrat -- are working with local gun violence organization WhitneyStrong to hold an Interim Joint Hearing on the advancement of an Extreme Risk Protection Order bill in the Bluegrass State...This policy could meaningfully address the gun suicide epidemic that resulted in the deaths of 470 Kentuckians in 2017. The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence applauds this hearing as a meaningful step forward for this important bill that can save lives in Kentucky."



ARTICLES & PRESS

Day-to-Day Gun Violence Deserves Our Attention, Medium ([link removed])
The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence's Impacted Community Team is excited to launch "Lives Impacted: Gun Violence Stories from Impacted Communities", a monthly blog series highlighting this epidemic in the communities most affected, yet rarely discussed.


Haas: The Second Amendment Sanctuary fairy tale, Senior Director of Advocacy Lori Haas in The Roanoke Times ([link removed])
Now that commonsense has finally prevailed, the gun lobby is left with empty gestures and gimmicks. They are worried because change is coming to Virginia. The new gun violence prevention majority is going to pass laws that save lives and protect families in Virginia. They will be enforced and applied statewide and applicable to all Virginia citizens in every county. The reality is that these sanctuary declarations are not worth the piece of paper that they are printed on. To the gun lobby we offer thoughts and prayers for their loss and if that piece of paper makes Phil Van Cleave feel better, well then bless his heart.


In Virginia, and elsewhere, gun supporters prepare to defy new laws, Washington Post ([link removed])
In theory, a Second Amendment sanctuary would be different. Refusing to carry out a judge's order to seize weapons from someone would be breaking the law. That could mean jail time. Local agencies receive funding from the state, so even adopting the stance is provocative. "The notion that law enforcement would not follow the law is appalling," said Lori Haas, a longtime activist with the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. "I suspect that many of these counties and their elected officials are posturing in front of certain voters."


Gun safety groups beat the NRA in Virginia. Next stop: Texas, Houston Chronicle ([link removed])
"People are tired and fed up that those in control -- and at this point in time, Republicans -- are doing nothing about this," said Lori Haas, the state director of Stop Gun Violence, who has lobbied the state legislature on the issue ever since her daughter was shot at Virginia Tech in 2007. "Virginia Tech happened 12 years ago and people thought there would be something ... Of course the voters are fed up and demanding change. If we can't change the laws, we're going to change your seats."


Dems' Wins in Virginia Are Wins for Gun Control Advocates, NBC Washington ([link removed])
The election of a Democratic majority in Virginia changes everything, Lori Haas of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence said. Her daughter was shot and wounded in the Virginia Tech massacre. "The voters got fed up and sent a message loud and clear," Haas told News4's Julie Carey. Here's what legislation on guns is on the agenda when the General Assembly reconvenes in January.


As Democrats triumph in Virginia, pro-gun groups confront 'worst scenario', Virginia Mercury ([link removed])
Lori Haas, a veteran gun-safety advocate whose daughter was wounded in the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting, said there may be some tweaks to the bills before the 2020 session begins Nov. 8. "I would be surprised if the entire package doesn't pass," said Haas, of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.


Films With A Mission For Good, The Georgetown Dish ([link removed])
Films of people dealing with war, immigration, human trafficking and other harsh realities of life were screened at the 2nd annual Flicks4Change film festival at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. More than 100 people attended, including representatives of the organizations Innocents At Risk, In A Perfect World, The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, the McLean Project for the Arts, Black Lives Matter DC, the Arlington Academy of Hope, and CARE Action!

Daily Bulletin: Lone Wolves, Armed With Legally Purchased Guns, The Trace ([link removed])
Gun suicide isn't just a problem for service members, but for their families, as well. A new analysis ([link removed]) from the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence found that in 2017, guns were used in 49 percent of suicides of female military spouses, compared to 31 percent of suicides among women in the general population. In general, the gun suicide rate is much higher among veterans than it is among the civilian population.


Several Colorado Sheriffs Say They Won't Enforce Red Flag Gun Law, CBS News ([link removed])
The model red flag law was written after the Sandy Hook school shooting in 2012. Currently, 17 states and the District of Columbia have adopted them. One of the authors of the model law is Josh Horwitz, head of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. "This is a law that is a temporary civil restraining order that allows family members or law enforcement to go to a court... before a tragedy occurs," Horwitz said. "And if the judge agrees and issues the order, law enforcement will... remove the firearms and then somewhere between seven and 21 days everybody will come back to court, there'll be a full hearing. If the person, in fact, is dangerous to self or others, the firearms will be kept by law enforcement, and that person won't have access to them for a year."


NRA, lawmakers taking aim at rules squelching sales of gun silencers, Valiant News ([link removed])
If people want to protect their hearing, said Andrew Patrick of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, they can use ear plugs. Making silencers more common, he contends, squelches a danger signal. "People know what a gunshot sounds like and how recognizable that is," he said. "It's a known audible warning to people that there is probably something bad happening."


Gun bills, at a glance, The Central Virginian ([link removed])
A "red flag" law. This would enable police to confiscate firearms from an individual when there is evidence they pose an immediate danger to themselves or others. Firearms would have to be returned to the owner after an emergency period of 14 days, although that period could be extended to up to 180 days. Critics say a red flag law could be subject to abuse. "There would be due process. A person would be able to present their case that they're not a danger to others," said Andrew Patrick, Director of Political Communications at the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence in Washington, D.C.


SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

On November 14, Director of Federal Affairs Dakota Jablon presented at George Mason University's School for Conflict Analysis's "Let's Talk About Guns" event.


Executive Director Josh Horwitz was featured on 60 Minutes this month discussing the extreme risk protection order in Colorado: [link removed]
"This is a law that is a temporary civil restraining order that allows family members or law enforcement to go to a court and remove the most lethal means - a firearm - before a tragedy occurs. And if the judge agrees and issues the order, law enforcement will go and serve the order on the respondent, remove the firearms, and then somewhere between 7 and 21 days everybody will come back to court there'll be a full hearing. If the person, in fact, is dangerous to self or others, the firearms will be kept by law enforcement, and that person won't have access to them for a year."