Demand A Plan to End Gun Violence

Gun Violence Survivors, Faith Leaders, and Local Activists Rally in Concord to Hold Senator Ayotte Accountable for Voting Against Tough-on-Crime Background Checks Bill

Survivors of gun violence, faith leaders, and local activists gathered at City Plaza in Concord, New Hampshire today to hold Senator Kelly Ayotte accountable for voting against bipartisan legislation proposed by NRA A-rated Senators Joe Manchin and Pat Toomey that would have closed loopholes that make it easy for criminals and other dangerous people to get their hands on guns. The rally was part of the “No More Names: National Drive to Reduce Gun Violence” – a 25-state national bus tour over a period of 100 days aimed at urging America’s leaders to support common-sense gun policies.

Participants included: John Cantin, a survivor of gun violence who was shot while trying to help his daughter before she was gunned down by her estranged husband in Manchester in October 2009; Judy Stadtman, the Co-Founder of the Project for Safer Communities NH; Revered Stephen R. Silver of the First Congressional Church of Lebanon; Rabbi Robin Nafshi; and Reverend Kate Atkinson. They all came together to voice their continued support for comprehensive and enforceable background checks, and they called on Senator Ayotte to support these common-sense, life-saving measures. As part of the rally, participants also read the names of thousands of victims of gun violence.

Family Members of Gun Violence Victims, Elected Officials, and Faith Leaders in Augusta Hold Rally to Thank Senators Collins and King for Supporting Comprehensive Background Checks

Family members of gun violence victims, elected officials, faith leaders, and local advocates gathered at the Augusta Area Unitarian Universalist Community Church today to thank Senators Susan Collins and Angus King for supporting bipartisan, common-sense background check legislation that would help keep guns out of the wrong hands and reduce gun violence across the country. The rally was part of Mayors Against Illegal Guns’ “No More Names: National Drive to Reduce Gun Violence” – a 25-state national bus tour over a period of 100 days aimed at urging America’s leaders to support sensible gun policies.

Participants and attendees included Augusta Mayor William M. Stokes, former Lewiston Mayor Larry Gilbert, Cathie Whittenberg of States United to Prevent Gun Violence, Reverend Carie Johnsen, and Judi Richardson – whose 25-year-old daughter Darien was shot and killed in 2010 in Portland. As part of the rally, participants also read the names of thousands of victims of gun violence. Every day, 33 Americans are murdered with guns in this country.

This past April, Senators Collins and King stood with the 85 percent of Mainers who support background checks and voted in favor of a bipartisan bill sponsored by NRA A-rated Senators Joe Manchin and Pat Toomey that would have closed dangerous loopholes that allow dangerous people to obtain firearms by requiring background checks for commercial gun sales. The legislation failed to become law, however, after a minority of senators voted to block the bill.

Six Months After Newtown Shooting, Mayors Against Illegal Guns Launches Nationwide Drive to Reduce Gun Violence

On the six-month anniversary of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Mayors Against Illegal Guns joined with several families of Newtown victims to launch the “No More Names: National Drive to Reduce Gun Violence” bus tour. Over a period of 100 days, the tour will travel to 25 states across the country in an effort to urge lawmakers to address the epidemic of gun violence in America that claims 33 lives every day. At each stop, participants will hold rallies with a broad coalition of supporters – including police, survivors, domestic violence prevention advocates, mayors, and other elected officials – to commemorate those we’ve lost and call on our leaders to stand with the American people on sensible gun policies. They will both applaud senators who voted to support comprehensive and enforceable background checks, and ask those who opposed this measure to take a second look.

The No More Names tour will provide an opportunity for the more than 90 percent of Americans who support background checks to drive home a message to our elected officials that our country needs common-sense gun laws. States on the tour include: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin. For more information, please visit www.NoMoreNames.org.

Also today, several families of Newtown victims, local elected officials, faith leaders, and other community members came together in Newtown, Connecticut for a day of remembrance to honor the memory of the 26 innocent children and educators who were murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December. The service included a moment silence, an interfaith benediction, and remarks from family members who lost loved ones in the December massacre. Afterwards, participants read more than 5,000 names of victims of gun violence.

No More Names: the National Drive to Reduce Gun Violence

Friday, June 14th is the six-month anniversary of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. Every single day since then, another 33Americans have been murdered with guns -- and still, Congress has failed to take meaningful action to reduce gun violence.

On Friday, Mayors Against Illegal Guns is launching “No More Names: the National Drive to Reduce Gun Violence,” a bus tour that will visit 25 states in 100 days to commemorate the thousands of Americans who have been murdered since Newtown and to urge Congress to pass common sense legislation that will prevent future tragedies. At every stop along the way, gun violence survivors, family members, and community members will come together to read the names of people who have been murdered with guns and to rally for comprehensive and enforceable background checks legislation. These powerful events will remind Washington that this fight isn’t over, and that we’ll continue to Demand Action until Congress passes new laws to reduce gun crime and save lives.

To learn more about the bus tour and to find out how you can involved with events in your area, please visit www.NoMoreNames.org.