FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dini von Mueffing Communications
Stephanie Morris
646-650-5005
Sandy Hook Promise Commends Senators for Introducing
Common Sense Background Check Legislation
Senators on Both Sides of the Aisle Introduce the “Fix NICS Act”
to Strengthen Background Checks
Newtown, CT – November 16, 2017 – Earlier this month, as the investigation unfolded in Sutherland Springs, TX, we learned that the deadly shooting could have been averted had authorities properly reported the shooter’s violent history. However, due to this lapse in the system, we witnessed the heartbreaking and grave consequences.
In light of this incident, we praise U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX,) Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tim Scott (R-SC) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) along with Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Dean Heller (R-NV), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) for introducing the Fix NICS (National Instant Background Check System) Act.
The legislation aims to strengthen background checks, hold agencies accountable for reporting a perpetrators violent past, as well as looks to create a Domestic Abuse and Violence Prevention Initiative to ensure that states have adequate resources and incentives to share all relevant information with NICS showing that a felon or domestic abuser is excluded from purchasing a firearm.
“In the past 45 days, we have witnessed two of the worst mass shootings in modern history. I applaud these Senators for taking the crucial step to introduce this commonsense legislation that will improve background checks, keep all agencies accountable, and most importantly create a safer America. We have lost too many innocent lives. The time to act is now,” said Nicole Hockley, co-founder and managing director of Sandy Hook Promise, and the mother of Dylan, who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy.
About Sandy Hook Promise: Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) is a national, nonprofit organization based in Newtown, Connecticut. We are led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012 that claimed the lives of 20 first-graders and 6 educators. SHP is focused on preventing gun violence (and other forms of violence and victimization) BEFORE it happens by educating and mobilizing youth and adults on mental health and wellness programs that identify, intervene and help at-risk individuals. SHP is a moderate, above-the-politics organization that supports sensible non-policy and policy solutions that protect children and prevent gun violence. Our intent is to honor all victims of gun violence by turning our tragedy into a moment of transformation.
For more information, visit www.sandyhookpromise.org or call 203-304-9780.
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