ATLANTA — The Georgia chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, and the National African American Gun Association (NAAGA) released the following statements after a joint panel discussion, convened by Melissa Clink and Forsyth County Democrats, which can be viewed here. The conversation covered issues including gun suicide, secure gun storage, and addressing the underlying factors that fuel and exacerbate gun violence.
“There’s a lot more that we agree on than one might think at the offset. We agree that too many people in the United States – especially Black people – are affected by gun violence, we agree that there are things responsible gun owners can do to help, and we know that we can prevent gun violence and protect the Second Amendment at the same time,” said Courtney Spriggs, a gun owner and volunteer leader with the Georgia chapter of Moms Demand Action. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to have this conversation with Douglas and NAAGA, and we’re looking forward to more important discussions like these.”
“At NAAGA, we want to create a culture of responsible gun ownership through training, through knowing the law, through properly storing your firearms,” said Douglas Jefferson, Vice President of the National African American Gun Association. “And we want to address the root causes of gun violence – poverty and systemic racism. We’re glad to participate in this important discussion with Moms Demand Action, and we thank Forsyth County Democrats for bringing this conversation together.”
In an average year, 1,603 people die by guns in Georgia. Georgia has the 13th-highest rate of gun homicides in the US. Gun violence costs Georgia $12.0 billion each year, of which $581.3 million is paid by taxpayers. More data on gun violence in Georgia is available through EveryStat here.