Newtown, CT — Today, President Biden announced a six-part action plan for addressing gun violence in the U.S. These Executive Actions come as gun violence and mass shootings continue to rise nationwide, along with record-breaking gun sales. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, gun deaths have hit historic levels.
Mark Barden, co-founder and managing director of Sandy Hook Promise and father of Daniel, who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, participated in the historic moment along with his wife, Jackie, and said:
“I am honored to be here in our nation’s capital to continue our work with President Biden to end gun violence. Creating a model for state Extreme Risk Protection Orders and ensuring ghost guns are captured in the Background Checks system are two important ways of making our families and communities safer. Coupling these key measures with more investment in community-based prevention programs reflect the holistic approach we need to effectively address this epidemic.”
In response to this news, Nicole Hockley, co-founder and managing director of Sandy Hook Promise and mother of Dylan, who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy issued the following statement:
“I am deeply grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for their leadership to end the slow-motion mass murder happening every day in our nation due to gun violence. But today’s actions are just the first steps. We need our Senators to step up and take bipartisan action to expand Background Checks. The future of our families and communities depends on this simple, life-saving legislation.”
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About the Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund
Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization committed to protecting all children from gun violence in schools, homes, and communities. The SHP Action Fund champions 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. Learn more at www.sandyhookpromise.org
Media Contact:
Aimee Thunberg | [email protected] | 646.761.5579