Read Blog for Arizona | Politics from a Liberal Viewpoint for more about gun safety

Wear Orange for National Gun Violence Awareness Day

May 28, 2018 by Carolyn Classen

Tucsonans know about mass shootings ever since January 8, 2011 when then CD 8 Congresswoman Gabby Giffords was shot, along with her District Director/later CD 2 Congressman Ron Barber, Congressional aide Gabe Zimmerman and Federal District Judge John Roll. 6 innocent people died that day and 13 were wounded, some of whom are now disabled … Read more

Active Shooter, Violent Encounter Personal Preparedness Courses

May 21, 2018 by Carolyn Classen

by Tucson Police Department, Tucson Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security “Have you ever wondered what you would do if you became involved in an active shooter situation? Do you want to learn about simple ways to protect yourself or your family if you find that a violent event is occurring right in front … Read more

Ann Kirkpatrick Stands Out as Gun Safety Candidate in CD2 Race

May 14, 2018 by Larry Bodine

Kirkpatrick student gun safety — On the anniversary of the Columbine school shooting, Kirkpatrick (at right) joined students across the country in walking out to protest lax gun laws. She was invited by the students of Rincon & University High Schools to be a part of their protest.

Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick, who once supported the NRA, has emerged as a leading gun safety candidate in Tucson’s CD2 Congressional primary race. Among her supporters:

She was just named a Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America Candidate. The group pressures lawmakers to improve gun laws, raises awareness about gun violence and educates the public about common-sense gun laws and responsible gun ownership.
She is endorsed by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. It announced the goal to cut the number of U.S. gun deaths in half by 2025 through background checks that are applied to all gun sales; to “Stop ‘Bad Apple’ Gun Dealers” – the 5 percent of gun dealers that supply 90 percent of all crime guns; and to change social norms around the real dangers of guns.
She’s endorsed by the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. Founded by shooting survivor and former Congressman Gabby Giffords, the center’s legal experts research, write, and defend the laws, policies, and programs proven to save lives from gun violence.

Gabby Giffords endorses Ann Kirkpatrick — Click here to see the short video of Gabby Giffords’ endorsement. https://youtu.be/TpnqNlQeQ9o

Democrats Matt Heinz and Mary Matiella are also Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense candidates. All seven of the Democratic primary candidates support gun safety measures.

Profile in Courage: Rep. Randy Friese Stands Up for Gun Safety

March 13, 2018March 12, 2018 by Larry Bodine

Only one Arizona legislator had the courage to stand up against gun violence: Rep. Randy Friese, a Democrat from Tucson. Watch the 4-minute YouTube video or read the transcript below as he calls for his colleagues to act, just days after the Parkland, FL, mass murders.

Friese had introduced HB2023 to ban bump stocks, but he could not get it heard in the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee where it was assigned. He used procedural motion to bring the measure directly to the House floor for a vote. But Rep. John Allen, a Republican from Scottdale, used a second motion to stop it from being debated.

Every Republican member of the Arizona House voted against gun safety, refusing even to hear the bill against bump stocks.

The GOP legislators are intentionally out of touch with the electorate:

72% of registered voters support a ban on bump stocks.
88% of Americans support universal background checks.
81% think that a person should be at least 21 to buy a gun.
70% endorse a ban on high-capacity magazines.
68% support a ban on assault weapons.

Rep. Friese’s speech on the Arizona House floor is truly a profile in courage.

We are facing an epidemic of gun violence. And this violence is everywhere, unfortunately, it’s in our schools. It’s touching the lives of children. We must act. The country is waiting for us to act. The time is now. We have an obligation to take action, we have a mandate to take action, we have the authority to take action. If we don’t recognize our authority to take action, we are failing. We are failing our country, we are failing our children, we are failing our students.

There are students in Florida today, since the last mass killings in schools, that have shown more leadership and courage than legislators across the country, than people who represent us in DC. I congratulate those young people. I ask us to be responsible to them and what they are asking us to do.

Guns in America community forum at the Loft Cinema

May 18, 2018February 25, 2018 by Carolyn Classen

Guns in America: Where Do We Go From Here community forum at Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. on Monday Feb. 26, 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. “In the aftermath of yet another school shooting – this one taking 17 lives – please join Ward 6 Tucson City Council member Steve Kozachik for … Read more