Washington, D.C., September 12, 2019 — Following round three of the Democratic presidential debates, Brady commends candidates for tackling the issue of gun violence and putting the issue front and center.
The majority of Americans — Democrats, Republicans and gun owners alike — support expanded background checks and a ban on assault weapons, issues that candidates addressed during tonight’s debate. Democratic presidential candidates also condemned white supremacy and the recent hate-fueled shootings that have impacted communities like El Paso, Texas.
Brady President, Kris Brown stated,
“Democratic presidential candidates continue to address the issue of gun violence in America in a way we’ve never seen before. They continuously put the issue front and center, not steering away from topics that current elected officials have deemed too contentious to touch. Tonight, we saw multiple candidates voice their support for common-sense gun safety reforms. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell needs to take notes. Americans want action, and we’re ready for change. It’s time to bring the bills sitting on McConnell’s desk to a vote and pass them with a simple majority. If current elected officials won’t make this change happen, come November 2020, voters will.”
Brady commends Sen. Elizabeth Warren for calling out the harm of the Senate’s 60-vote rule, which has long served to block efforts to pass gun safety legislation. Fifty-one is fair, and it is long past time for Congress to set aside political games and enact the change that the United States so desperately needs. Brady praises Sen. Cory Booker for turning the debate’s focus to the disproportionate effects of gun violence on Black and Brown communities and the often ignored impact of everyday gun violence. Brady also applauds Beto O’Rourke’s impassioned calls to keep assault weapons off our streets and is thankful for all the candidates who put gun violence front and center on tonight’s debate stage.
The issue of gun violence proved to be a driving factor for voters in the 2018 elections. Ranking only behind healthcare, gun policy was the second most important issue for voters. This momentum has carried into the 2020 elections. A recent Morning Consult/Politico poll found that 73 percent of Democratic voters claimed it was “very important” for the candidates to discuss the issue of gun violence in the September 12 debate, an 11 point increase since the June 26-27 debates.
Brady has long prioritized a comprehensive approach to preventing the epidemic of gun violence — a strategy now being adopted by a growing number of candidates. Currently, Brady has endorsed 34 gun violence prevention champions for the U.S. Senate and Virginia House of Delegates.
Brady has one powerful mission — to unite all Americans against gun violence. We work across Congress, the courts, and our communities with over 90 grassroots chapters, bringing together young and old, red and blue, and every shade of color to find common ground in common sense. In the spirit of our namesakes Jim and Sarah Brady, we have fought for over 45 years to take action, not sides, and we will not stop until this epidemic ends. It’s in our hands.
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