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From the Executive Director

Hello and welcome to our June Newsletter.

You can blow out a candle, but you can’t blow out a fire. Once the flames begin to catch, the wind will blow it higher (Lyrics from”Biko” by Peter Gabriel, referencing anti-apartheid activist Bantu Stephen Biko)

So much is happening right now. The candle flicker of gun violence prevention has caught fire and this is our time to make change. This month’s Campaign newsletter provides a brief recap of where we are, along with action items so you can raise your voice with us. We grieve with the families of Buffalo, Uvalde, and Tulsa. We also know countless communities all across the US have been affected, as the rate of daily gun violence incidents continues at a record high level.

The Campaign, along with many other organizations & colleagues around the country, are continuing to fight for change. We won’t let this moment pass without doing all we can for gun reform in our country. The gun lobby is holding its collective breath, thinking once the press moves onto another issue and certain politicians wring their hands calling for thoughts & prayers, things will die down and nothing will change. That is not going to happen – this is our time!

Today is #WearOrange Day – (We are pushing to make it Gun Violence Awareness Week) – where advocacy organizations like The Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus ask members to wear Orange and take actions to reduce gun deaths & injuries. The Wear Orange Campaign was inspired by 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton, a talented Chicagoan who was gunned down in a park 9 years ago, just one week after performing at President Obama’s 2nd Inaugural Parade.

Our main focus now is to promote the passing of major gun reform in Washington and in some of the state legislatures still in session. We cannot let this moment pass.

We are also very concerned by statements from some elected officials and the gun lobby seeking deceptively simple solutions to school shootings that will put more guns into K-12 schools by arming teachers and other school personnel. More guns in our schools is not the answer. See links below for our recent statements & press clips.

In terms of the actions you can take, in Congress there is an omnibus bill moving in the House of Representatives that includes several good measures (more is needed). The Senate must also be pressured to act. On the state level, New York just passed a major 10-point gun reform package (great work NYAGV!). See our action center below to contact your federal & state elected officials.

In addition to taking legislative actions, we have also created resource areas where folks can provide support to those in Buffalo, NY and Uvalde, TX (see below).

Finally, thank you for taking action when we ask and for supporting The Campaign with your gifts. Your generous donations, especially over these last violent weeks, as well as throughout the year, make a huge difference. You generosity allows this work to continue, saving even more lives.

Please help go the next mile with us by making a donation to The Campaign today.

Thanks for all you do!

Andy Pelosi, Executive Director


Federal Action Needed

The House of Representatives is meeting on HR 7910 – Protecting Our Kids Act, which contains several measures, including: addressing illegal guns, providing for safe gun storage, banning high capacity magazines, banning ghost guns and raising the age to 21 to purchase semi-automatic long guns. 

Wile this is a good first step, more must be done, including banning military-style assault weapons and creating a national extreme risk protection law. Take Action NOW!



President Joe Biden delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)


Updates From The States




Buffalo, NY

We grieve with Buffalo as they recover from the racist attack on a neighborhood supermarket. Read our statement here.

The Campaign knows our members want to reach out to the City of Good Neighbors,  so we posted a number of terrific local organizations & resources to our web site:

Click here to learn more.




Uvalde, TX

The massacre at Robb Elementary School, so soon after Buffalo has sent us all reeling. Read our statement here.

The Campaign has setup a special web page with an array of resources, fundraisers and other information so you can lend a hand in Uvalde as well: LinkTr.ee/KeepGunsOffCampus


Arizona

We continue to watch SB 1123 & HB 2447 which would change current policies by forcing colleges & universities to allow the carrying of loaded, concealed handguns on campus.

Right now, both bills are on their respective House floors where they could sit or be voted on at any moment.

Please Take Action Today: Say No To SB 1123 / HB 2447


New York

New York State is on the cusp of passing a comprehensive package of 10 legislative bills that will address important gaps in state’s already strong gun laws.  You can send a quick thank you note to Gov. Hochul and Legislative leaders praising their leadership.

Click here to take action.


Georgia

On May 14th our SAFE To Thrive project participated in an inaugural event for a community-based gun violence prevention initiative known as “Desiyunna Inspires.” Volunteers served a free BBQ meal to over over 200 attendees seated at a table that stretched for 150 feet.

This initiative is inspired by the life of Desiyunna Hill who was gunned down in a drive-by shooting in Valdosta, GA and was founded by Desiyunna’s father, Desmond Grant, and aunt, Kelisa Brown – a Valdosta City School Board member. 

Program Director Kathryn Grant reports SAFE to Thrive hosted on site gun safety trainings and distributed more than 50 free gun locks to these community members. 

More trainings are planned for later this year.



Florida

We reported last month that permitless concealed carry might move forward. Fortunately this did not happen, but we expect this legislation to pop up again in the next special session.

In the meantime, a charter school in northern Florida decided to raffle off guns. See our response:

Click to read


Oklahoma

Victory!  The legislature adjourned for 2022 without moving guns on campus legislation forward.


Missouri

Guns on Campus Legislation is still in the State House.

Please Take Action Opposing HB 1751.

Click to Take Action now on HB 1751


The Campaign – On Air and On the Road






Andy Pelosi appeared on 11 Alive – WXIA Atlanta, talking about Uvalde & Buffalo




Andy & Volunteers tabled at a Uvalde Memorial in Ridgefield, CT on 5/30




“Bullets Can’t Stop Bullets” – The Campaign’s Annual Fundraiser Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, 6-9pm @ Manhattanville College

Meet This Year’s Honorees:

Arizona State Legislator
Hon. Jennifer Longdon

Campaign Board Chair & Co-Founder
John Johnson

Long-time Campaign Board Member
Jackie Williams Kaye

Get On Board Early – Join The Host Committee

 $10,000 – Premiere Sponsor

Up to 12 tickets, Online & Full-Page Program Listing

 $5,000 – Platinum Sponsor

Up to 10 tickets, Online & Full-Page Program Listing

 $2,500 – Gold Sponsor

Up to 8 tickets, Online & Half Page Program Listing

 $1,000 – Silver Sponsor

Up to 6 tickets, Online & Half Page Program Listing

 $500 – Bronze Sponsor

Up to 4 tickets, Online & Eighth-Page Program Listing

All Host Committee Sponsors will be acknowledged via the website, social media postings, promotional emails, event program & all appropriate PR.

Sign up for your sponsorship sooner than later. Early Sponsors have mentions in our event PR as well as web/social media from the time the gift is received through the event itself.

Deadline for listing is Friday, September 9, 2022 at 5pm.


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The Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus • PO Box 658 • Croton Falls, NY 10519