NEW YORK – Today, Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a part of Everytown, launched the Everytown Veterans Advisory Council, a group of military veterans that will provide advice and support to advance gun violence prevention work around the country. Members of the Everytown Veterans Advisory Council will lend their voices to the gun violence prevention movement and help shape the strategy and direction of both Everytown and Moms Demand Action. Members include veterans who recently quit the NRA due to the organization’s extreme rhetoric and positions.
“I’ve been a member of the NRA since I was in high school,” said Alonzo Neese, a Marine Corps veteran and founding member of the Everytown Veterans Advisory Council. “But, this week I quit the NRA because the organization refuses to provide the leadership that is necessary as our country reckons with a regular rhythm of gun violence. I will continue to fight for gun violence prevention policies, but I will do so without the NRA. Instead, I’m proud to be partnering with other veterans to tackle this problem, because veterans know what it means to provide real leadership on critical issues.”
“I’ve been an active member of the gun violence prevention movement for years,” said Sarah Dachos, a Navy veteran, volunteer leader of the D.C. chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and founding member of the Everytown Veterans Advisory Council. “During that time I’ve learned how much veterans can contribute to conversations about gun violence prevention, both because we know how critical firearm safety and responsibility are and because we know what these weapons can do in the wrong hands.”
“In the military you go through extensive training before even holding a firearm,” said Anthony Swofford, a Marine Corps veteran and founding member of the Everytown Veterans Advisory Council. “You were made to understand the impact firearms can have and the responsibility that comes with handling one. I think the civilian world could learn some important lessons from the example of how we treat firearms in the military.”
“Through our service, veterans have earned credibility with the American people,” said Joam Alisme, an Air Force veteran and legal fellow at Everytown for Gun Safety. “Due to our experience in a profession of arms, veterans have a unique ability to provide trusted opinions on responsible gun ownership and gun safety. I have no doubt that members of the Everytown Veterans Advisory Council will play a critical role in ending gun violence in America.”
Founding members of the Everytown Veterans Advisory Council include:
- Lt. Col. Scott Cooper, U.S. Marine Corps, retired
- Cmdr. Sarah Dachos, U.S. Navy, retired, volunteer leader with the D.C. chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
- Lt. Col. Jason Dempsey, U.S. Army, retired
- Michael Diamond, U.S. Army veteran
- Rob Diamond, U.S. Navy veteran
- Lindsey Donovan, U.S. Army veteran, volunteer leader with the Georgia chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
- Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, U.S. Army veteran
- Lt. Col. Neil Hester, U.S. Air Force, retired, volunteer with the Oklahoma chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
- Kristen Kavanaugh, U.S. Marine Corps veteran
- Peter Lucier, U.S. Marine Corps veteran
- Becky Margiotta, U.S. Army veteran
- Capt. Chris Marvin, U.S. Army, retired
- Melody McFadden, U.S. Army veteran, volunteer with the South Carolina chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
- Justin McFarlin, U.S. Army veteran
- Alonzo Neese, U.S. Marine Corps veteran
- Maili Neverosky, U.S. Navy veteran
- Amber Schleuning, U.S. Army veteran
- Anthony Swofford, U.S. Marine Corps veteran
- Col. Craig Tucker, U.S. Marine Corps, retired
- Eli Williamson, U.S. Army veteran