Statement from New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Rhode Island State Lawmakers on Governors Creating New Interstate Coalition for Gun Safety
February 22, 2018
(New York, NY) — Today, New York Senator Brian Kavanagh, Chair of American State Legislators for Gun Violence Prevention (ASLGVP), and ASLGVP members including New York Senator Gustavo Rivera and Assemblymember Walter Mosley, Connecticut Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, and Senator Beth Bye, New Jersey Assemblymember John McKeon, and Rhode Island Representatives Marcia Ranglin-Vassell and Teresa Tanzi released the following statement in response to the announcement by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, and Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo of “States for Gun Safety,” a new interstate coalition to promote gun safety:
“Everyday, 90 Americans are killed by guns and hundreds more are injured. This is a national epidemic — and it deserves an urgent response.
“The federal government must take action, but for too long forces in Washington backed by the gun industry lobby have offered empty words instead of life-saving laws and policy changes.
“Whether or not the federal government steps up, states can and must protect the lives of our residents.
“Governors Cuomo, Malloy, Murphy, and Raimondo deserve great credit for this innovative, first-in-the-nation regional gun violence prevention effort.
“We know the central role states can play in stopping gun violence, and we look forward to working with our governors, our colleagues in government, and our communities to strengthen state laws and save lives.”
About American State Legislators for Gun Violence Prevention:
Founded in 2014, American State Legislators for Gun Violence Prevention is an independent, non-partisan coalition of hundreds of Democratic and Republican state lawmakers from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. Members include elected representatives of urban, suburban, and rural areas who have come together in recognition of the unique role state legislators must play in preventing gun violence.
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