Voters Rebuff NRA’s Candidate and Agenda
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Tonight Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and the Rhode Island chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America declared victory in re-electing gun sense champion Governor Gina Raimondo, whom Everytown had endorsed. In her time in office, Gov. Raimondo has been a strong advocate for common-sense gun laws and recently signed into law Red Flag legislation. Her opponent, Allan Fung, had an A rating from the NRA.
Everytown contributed $1.5 million to the Democratic Governors Association this cycle. The DGA was involved in critical races this year, including in states like Colorado, Michigan and Rhode Island. Everytown’s significant contributions helped DGA elect gun sense champions and educate voters about their candidates’ stance on gun safety laws.
“In re-electing proven gun sense champion Gina Raimondo, Rhode Islanders sent a message to all of their lawmakers: There is more work to be done when it comes to preventing gun violence, and Raimondo is leading the way,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety.
“We are thrilled to see Governor Raimondo win re-election along with all our other gun sense candidates up and down the ballot,” said Amy Herlihy, a volunteer leader with the Rhode Island chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “Under Gov. Raimondo’s leadership, Rhode Island has emerged as a leader on gun safety in the Northeast and across the country. Tonight’s electoral victories demonstrate that voters know more can be done to keep all our communities safe.”
“My family knows firsthand what it means to live in terror of gun violence on a daily basis,” said Barbara Swanson, a volunteer with the Rhode Island chapter of Moms Demand Action and a member of the Everytown Survivor Network. “Tonight, Rhode Islanders made it clear that no one should have to live with that fear, and I am so grateful that we have elected lawmakers at every level who will protect our families and vote for gun safety.”
This election cycle, Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund actively supported gun sense candidates across Rhode Island who won their races, including Gov. Raimondo, David Cicilline (RI-01), Bridget Valverde (SD-35), Carol Hagan McEntee (SD-33), Teresa Tanzi (HD-34), Katherine Kazarian (HD-63), Susan Donovan (HD-69), Terri-Denise Cortvriend (HD-72) and Deborah Ruggiero (HD-74).
Gina Raimondo’s re-election followed a year in which it was clear that Rhode Islanders want common-sense gun policies. This year, Governor Raimondo was the first governor to sign an executive action on Red Flags after the Parkland shooting, allowing law enforcement to protect families and communities before a tragedy occurs. The state legislature then passed a bipartisan Red Flag bill that protects families and communities by allowing law enforcement and families to seek Extreme Risk Protection Orders to temporarily restrict a person’s access to firearms to prevent them from harming themselves or others. Governor Raimondo signed this legislation, making Rhode Island the fourth state to enact Red Flag legislation after the Parkland shooting. This year Rhode Island also became the eighth state to prohibit bump stocks after the Las Vegas shooting. The Red Flag and bump stock legislation both follow lifesaving domestic violence legislation passed last year that disarms domestic abusers.
Moms Demand Action volunteers and gun violence survivors knocked doors and phonebanked for gun sense candidates across Rhode Island. Leading up to the midterm election, volunteers had more than 1,500 conversations at doors for gun sense candidates.