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Sandy Hook Promise echos president’s State of the Union message to do more on gun violence prevention

Statement of Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund Co-Founder and CEO Mark Barden

NEWTOWN, Conn. — In last night’s State of the Union address, President Biden celebrated victories, such as passage of the first gun safety legislation in a decade, and challenged Congress to do more to end gun violence, including passage of assault weapons restrictions. Mark Barden, co-founder and CEO of the Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund and father of Daniel, who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, made the following statement in response:

“We join President Biden in celebrating the progress his administration and Congress have made by passing legislation to support community-based violence interruption and intervention, enhancing background checks for 18-21-year-olds, implementing red flag laws, along with making investments in mental health supports. These important steps forward help protect Second Amendment rights and also keep communities safe – and should be applauded. But there is much more to be done to end the gun violence epidemic.

“We echo President Biden in urging Congress to continue to work to stop gun violence by passing the bills before it that would restrict access to assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and closing loopholes in the background check system. We also share the President’s commitment to strengthening mental health support for students at school.”

“Gun violence is not a partisan issue; it’s an American tragedy, touching every corner of our country and destroying countless lives. That’s why the overwhelming majority of voters support sensible gun policy reforms and Congress should pass them now.”

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The Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund (SHPAF) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization committed to protecting all children from gun violence in schools, homes, and communities. The SHP Action Fund advances a holistic policy platform that promotes gun safety, youth mental health, and violence prevention education. The organization works at the state and federal level to pass nonpartisan legislation through inclusive partnerships, diverse grassroots education, and community mobilization. It is part of Sandy Hook Promise, founded and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. 

Media Contact: 

Aimee Thunberg | [email protected] | 646-761-5579