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Sandy Hook Promise Commends Bipartisan Introduction of Background Checks Legislation in Congress, Urges Swift Passage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sandy Hook Promise Commends Bipartisan Introduction of Background Checks Legislation in Congress, Urges Swift Passage

Newtown, CT – January 8, 2019 – Today, bipartisan legislation was introduced that would expand the background check requirement for gun sales to nearly all sales occurring in the U.S., including so-called “private sales” that occur at gun shows and over the internet. Current loopholes in our nation’s laws allow 25% of all guns to be bought without a background check. Background checks have been proven to save lives and have been shown to reduce levels of gun violence in states that have expanded background checks to all sales.

Sandy Hook Promise praises U.S. Congressmen Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Peter King (R-NY), along with 8 other Republican and Democratic Representatives, for introducing H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019, and U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), along with 39 other Senators, for introducing the Background Check Expansion Act.

In response, Sandy Hook Promise released the following statement:

“Since the shooting that killed my sweet little Daniel and took 25 more precious lives, Sandy Hook Promise has been working with Republicans and Democrats to pass meaningful laws to prevent gun violence and has made the strengthening of our background checks system a top priority,” said Mark Barden, co-founder and managing director of Sandy Hook Promise, and father of Daniel who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy.  “While our country may be divided on many issues, we all want to feel safe. The vast majority of us agree that, if you are flagged in a background check, you shouldn’t be able to buy a gun. Today, we call on Congress to come together and honor their promise to protect our children by passing this lifesaving legislation once and for all.”

Sandy Hook Promise has been a leader in the call for Congressional action on background checks and bipartisan gun violence prevention legislation since its founding in the days after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary on December 14, 2012 and has helped pass over a dozen bipartisan laws at the state level to strengthen background checks and create Extreme Risk Protection Orders. Sandy Hook Promise also proudly led the work to pass the bipartisan STOP School Violence Act of 2018 (H.R. 4909/S. 2495) that will train millions of students and adults to “Know the Signs” of gun violence and how to act to prevent it.

More than 5.5 million people have been trained in Sandy Hook Promise’s proven Know the Signs programs that focus on prevention to help end the epidemic of gun violence by training youth and adults how to identify at-risk behavior and intervene to get help before a tragedy can occur. Through these no-cost signature programs, Sandy Hook Promise has averted multiple school shooting plots, several teen suicides, and countless other acts of violence.

About Sandy Hook Promise: Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) is a national nonprofit organization based in Newtown, Connecticut. SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.  SHP’s mission is to prevent gun violence and other forms of violence and victimization BEFORE they happen by creating a culture of engaged youth and adults committed to identifying, intervening, and getting help for individuals who might be at risk of hurting themselves or others.  SHP is a moderate, above-the-politics organization that supports sensible program and policy solutions that address the “human-side” of gun violence by preventing individuals from ever getting to the point of picking up a firearm to hurt themselves or others. Our words, actions and impact nationwide are intended 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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Media Contact:

Dini von Mueffling Communications

Stephanie Morris: [email protected]  | 646-650-5005