WASHINGTON– Following the White House announcement today on the latest rollout of President Obama’s executive action to reduce gun violence including a focus on smart gun technology, Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America released the statements below from Everytown President John Feinblatt and Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts. Today’s announcement included new government reports on grant funding, procurement standards, and R&D testing of smart guns, an upcoming convening of state and local officials to talk about gun violence prevention, and a proposed rulemaking to ensure prohibiting mental health records held by the Social Security Administration are made available to the federal background check system.
STATEMENT FROM JOHN FEINBLATT, PRESIDENT OF EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY:
“For too long, the gun lobby blocked the kind of research that can help save lives. Innovation is always welcome, particularly when it comes to safety. That’s why we applaud President Obama for taking this important first step – committing federal agencies to funding and testing new gun safety technologies so they are optimized and safe, whether used by civilians or law enforcement.”
STATEMENT FROM SHANNON WATTS, FOUNDER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“Moms are grateful to learn more today about the administration’s commitment to developing smart gun technology and to working with federal agencies and law enforcement to find solutions that will help keep our families safe. In 2016 alone, there have been at least 77 unintentional child shooting resulting in 36 deaths and 41 injuries. These are tragic numbers and advancing smart gun technology has the potential to help reduce them. That’s an investment with returns measured in lives saved.”
“We also applaud the White House for engaging with executives and legislators on the state and local level. In fact, our Moms Demand Action chapters are working every day in state houses across the country to fight for stronger gun laws and push back against dangerous gun lobby-backed proposal that would make our communities less safe. Today’s announcement is a testament to the progress being made in states across the country.”