Virginia Gun Ban Lobby Using Newtown Anniversary to Push Gun Control

Gun ban advocate and Governor Elect Terry McAuliffe Transition Team member Lori Haas sent out an email earlier today detailing activities they will undertake on Saturday, December 14th.  While the families of those slain have asked to be allowed to honor their lost loved ones without media attention, the gun ban lobby is using the day to make the case for more gun control.  Below is the email Ms. Haas sent out detailing how the Virginia gun ban lobby will mark the day and urging their supporters to use social media to send a message to Virginia's congressional delegation.

As many of you know, on Saturday December 14, 2013 we, as a nation, will be marking the 1^st anniversary of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. This anniversary is an opportunity for us to honor and remember the victims of gun violence and remind us why we are committed to creating a safer Virginia. Events and vigils will be held across the state over the next few days as we honor those who have lost their lives and continue to push for stronger responsible gun legislation in Virginia.

NEWTOWN ACTION ALLIANCE EVENTS & MOMS DEMAND ACTION: NO MORE SILENCE EVENTS TO COMMEMORATE THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY AND THE 26 LIVES LOST IN THE SHOOTING RAMPAGE AT SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN NEWTOWN, CT

Thursday Dec 12^th

3:45 – 5:00 p.m. - Newtown National Vigil for all Gun Violence Victims at the National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, DC

Friday Dec. 13^th

Call Congress with our easy call-in tool – check the website at momsdemandaction.org

Saturday Dec 14^th

8:30 – 9:15 a.m. - Ceremony of Remembrance and Activation at UUCF, 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, VA

9:00 – 10:00 a.m. – Bell ringing at the Netherlands Carillion near the Iwo Jima Memorial (1222 N. Meade Street, Arlington, VA) with Moms Demand Action VA

9:30 – 10:30 a.m. – Bell ringing at the Carillon at Byrd Park (1300 Blanton Avenue Richmond, VA) with Moms Demand Action VA

9:30 – 10:30 a.m. – Bell ringing at Freedom Wall on Downtown Mall in Charlottesville, VA with Charlottesville Coalition for Gun Violence Prevention.

10:00 – 11:30 a.m. – Vigil & protest in front of the NRA headquarters at 11250 Waples Mill Rd., Oakton, VA

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. - Bell ringing at Lee Plaza (1525 Westover Avenue SW Roanoke, VA 24015) with Moms Demand Action VA

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Bell ringing at Canal Park, 200 M Street, SE, Washington, DC with Moms Demand Action DC.

Social Media Actions

· On Facebook, change your “hometown” to “Newtown, CT”

· Paint your nails “Sandy Hook Green” and encourage everyone you know, male and female, to do the same. Tweet photos of your green nails with the hashtag #NoMoreNewtowns

· Tweet a photo of your hands holding a sign that says “Remember Newtown” to the VA Representatives who have not co-sponsored the background check bill with the hashtag #RememberNewtown #cosponsor1565. Twitter handles as follows:

@RobWittman

@RepScottRigell

@Randy_Forbes

@RepRobertHurt

@RepGoodlatte

@EricCantor

@RepMGriffith

@RepWOLFPress

Beyond the Vigils, please plan to go to Richmond on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 20^th

We need to have as many people as possible in Richmond on MLK day to represent the majority of Virginians who support responsible gun laws. Please mark this date on your calendar and plan to join mothers, fathers, teachers, law enforcement officers, faith leaders, politicians, activists, andmany more who will gather to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King and remember the countless Virginians who have lost their lives to gun violence. We will make our voices heard as the Virginia General Assembly comes back into session and continue to fight for the freedom to live in a world free from gun violence.

Please continue to tell your friends and family to sign up for Virginians for Responsible Gun Laws at www.vrgl.org and, if you haven’t already, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Thank you for all of your hard work and commitment to this cause. There will be more updates to follow as we head into 2014.

Sincerely,

Lori Haas
 

Virginia gun owners should contact their congressman and let them know none of the gun control proposals being pushed by gun ban advocates would have stopped the Newtown shooter and that they should focus on real solutions and not feel good measures.