Subject: Stand Your Ground And Gun Safety
From: Denise Cardinal <[email-masked]>
To: [email-masked]
Date: Tue, 23 Jul 2013 11:00:41 -0500 (CDT)

::: ProgressNow - Advancing Progressive Agendas, State by State ::: 

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

From the jury upholding the Stand Your Ground bill in the Trayvon
Martin case to the anniversary of the Aurora shooting, it is now more
important than ever to address the issue of gun violence. Whether that
is in the 21+ states where Stand Your Ground legislation is in effect,
or states like Colorado and California that have passed gun safety
laws, we are working hard to make sure that less lives are touched by
gun violence. Our state affiliates are working every day to make
progress happen, and happen NOW.

As always, let me know what you think, or even better, contribute to
us here.

http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=wtAvbpo5PqxvOPNNe7K1jw

Best,

Denise Cardinal
Executive Director
ProgressNow
ProgressNow Education

The Connection Between Stand Your Ground and ALEC

Due to Florida's Stand Your Ground law that was passed in
2005, George Zimmerman was not originally arrested for the killing,
and at the end of his trial, the presiding judge's instructions
to the jury undeniably adhered to the Stand Your Ground law. On July
13th, the Trayvon Martin trial was finally called to a close, and the
jury ruled that George Zimmerman was not guilty on all counts.

In order to counter the ALEC/NRA narrative emerging in the media that
Stand Your Ground played no part in the case, and to aid by focusing
the public debate on productive conversations, Progress Now recently
released an issue summary highlighting the connection between Stand
Your Ground and ALEC. The Florida legislation was an NRA initiative
that clearly served as the basis for the ALEC model legislation it has
since aggressively pushed in statehouse across the country.
http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=-IH6zc7_pOCxgx-bk2VWyg

NRA lobbyists, via ALEC, successfully passed similar legislation in at
least twenty other states.  Research has shown a 7-9% increase in
homicides in states with Stand Your Ground laws in place.  Even
though ALEC is strongly pushing back against any assertions that they
are linked to the Stand Your Ground bill, through this summary and
other efforts, we are working to educate voters about the connection,
our efforts to help pass gun control legislation, and defeat the ALEC
agenda.

Remembering Aurora: No More Names

Remember Aurora

This past Friday, July 19th, concerned citizens from across America
joined with the people of Aurora to remember the tragic shooting that
took place one year ago. Victims of gun violence from Colorado and
elsewhere, religious leaders, and activists came together to remember
the victims and take immediate steps to reduce gun violence
nationwide. While it has been a long year for survivors, lawmakers,
and advocates alike, we have made positive strides with the passing of
gun safety legislation in Colorado.

As you can see on the timeline ProgressNow Colorado created,
legislators began discussing gun violence prevention measures this
past September. Throughout the legislative session, Democrats brought
forward comprehensive gun safety reform bills. With the support of
Governor Hickenlooper, five gun safety bills were signed into law:
background checks on private gun transfers, fees for background
checks, requirement to complete training in person when applying for a
concealed carry permit, limits on high capacity magazines, and a bill
that prevents people who have committed domestic violence acts from
possessing firearms. The passage of this legislation is helping create
a safer environment in Colorado. This weekend ProgressNow Colorado
honored the victims of Aurora and sending a message to the country
that it's time to take action to reduce gun violence nationwide. It's
time to stop adding names to the list of gun violence victims.

http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=GT0NuBn4uY7R2lhmQHw4mw

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