California Gun Violence Survivors, Moms, Mayors, Law Enforcement and Gun Violence Prevention Groups Worked Together to Defeat Gun Lobby Opposition and Support This Major Step Forward for Public Safety
Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America applaud Governor Brown for signing Assembly Bill 1014 today, a new law to prevent gun violence in California, despite opposition from the National Rifle Association, California Rifle and Pistol Association, Gun Owners of California and the Calguns Foundation. The new law will allow law enforcement or immediate family members to present evidence to a judge and obtain a gun violence restraining order when a person poses a significant danger to self or others by having a firearm.
After the shooting in Isla Vista where a man killed six people — even after his parents contacted police when he displayed dangerous and threatening behavior — AB 1014 passed quickly through the State Senate and Assembly, with leadership from California State Assemblymembers Nancy Skinner and Das Williams, and Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson.
The bill received widespread support from Californians and gun violence prevention advocates including Moms, California Mayors Against Illegal Guns, law enforcement, and survivors of victims of the Isla Vista shooting. Family members of three college students killed in Isla Vista sent a letter and gathered with Moms, law enforcement and legislators at a press conference on the steps of the State Capitol to ask legislative leaders and Governor Brown to support AB 1014. The letter can be found here.
“Today, Governor Brown helped to honor the life of my son, Christopher, and so many others killed by senseless gun violence by signing AB 1014 into law,” said Richard Martinez, father of Isla Vista shooting victim Christopher Ross Michaels-Martinez, and Outreach Associate for Everytown for Gun Safety. “Nothing we can do will bring back Christopher, but I’m confident this new law will help save lives and prevent other families from experiencing this same kind of tragedy. States around the country should be exploring this life-saving measure.”
“Governor Brown stood on the side of public safety for residents around the Golden State, and I know my constituents will be safer,” said Santa Barbara Mayor Helene Schneider. “Our community and the country watched in horror as a young man wreaked havoc in Isla Vista, but Governor Brown’s signature on this bill tells our state that we can – and will – do more to save lives.”
“Moms from across the state are applauding this life-saving signature by Governor Brown,” said Sara Smirin, California Chapter Leader of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “During the legislative session, Californians asked our elected leaders to do more to keep our children and communities safer. Today, Governor Brown followed in the steps of our state legislature by listening to what our community says about gun violence prevention.”
About Everytown for Gun Safety
Everytown for Gun Safety is a movement of Americans fighting for common-sense policies that will reduce gun violence and save lives. Everytown is the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with more than two million supporters including moms, mayors, survivors, and everyday Americans who are fighting for reforms that respect the Second Amendment and protect people. At the core of Everytown are Mayors Against Illegal Guns, founded in 2006 by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Boston Mayor Tom Menino, and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a grassroots movement of American mothers founded on the day after Newtown. Learn more at www.everytown.org and follow us @Everytown
About Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
Much like Mothers Against Drunk Driving was created to change laws regarding drunk driving, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America was created to build support for common-sense gun reforms. The nonpartisan grassroots movement of American mothers is demanding new and stronger solutions to lax gun laws and loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our children and families. Since its inception after the Sandy Hook Elementary mass shooting, Moms Demand Action has established a chapter in every state of the country and is part of Everytown for Gun Safety along with Mayors Against Illegal Guns. Everytown is the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with more than two million supporters including moms, mayors, survivors, and everyday Americans who are fighting for reforms that respect the Second Amendment and protect people. For more information or to get involved visit www.momsdemandaction.org. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MomsDemandAction or on Twitter at @MomsDemand
