Brady Once Again Disappointed in Lack of Substantive Discussion of Gun Violence in Democratic Debate

Washington, D.C., December 19, 2019 – Today, Brady once again asked why the gun violence epidemic in the United States was not substantively addressed by candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for President on the debate stage in Los Angeles.

Brady President Kris Brown stated:

“Tonight, candidates and the media had an opportunity to speak to what has quickly become one of the top issues for voters: gun violence. Unfortunately, we saw too little discussion of this public health crisis and too little offered by way of solutions and policies. We cannot be silent on this issue. When approximately 100 people a day are killed in the United States, we must clearly and loudly call for solutions. So should those running for President of the United States. I look forward to future debates and commentary that centers this issue and proposed solutions.”

After multiple, high-profile shootings, including the mass shooting in Fresno last month, it is particularly distressing that candidates did not substantively discuss the gun violence epidemic while in California.

Gun Violence Prevention advocate and survivor of the 1989 Cleveland Elementary School Shooting Julia Schardt shared:

“As a California resident and former educator who survived the 1989 Cleveland Elementary School Shooting, I am deeply disappointed in the lack of discussion about the gun violence epidemic in the United States. After two, high-profile shootings in the past 24 hours and after multiple high-profile mass shootings in California in the last month, we know that these are pressing issues. They shouldn’t be taking a back seat during these debates. Any candidate for any office in the United States should share how they would address this public safety crisis.”

California has some of the most comprehensive gun violence prevention regulations in the country, but even this leadership cannot insulate the state from gun violence. In our country, a state’s gun laws are only as strong as its neighbor’s.

It’s why Brady continues to champion the need for substantive federal action, including the passage of two, bipartisan gun violence prevention bills that are languishing on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s desk. These bills, H.R.8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019, and H.R.1112, the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019, passed the U.S. House of Representatives almost 300 days ago. Since these measures were passed, approximately 29,000 people have been killed by gun violence in the United States.

Tonight’s debate comes less than one week after the seven-year anniversary of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Following this anniversary three people were murdered in a Montana casino, two men were injured and another killed in a shooting in Philadelphia, and one man was injured and one killed in Las Vegas this week, in addition to the high-profile shootings in a San Antonio mall and a Rhode Island senior housing complex in the last 24 hours, Americans deserve a discussion of these issues.

Brown concluded:

“I said the same thing just a month ago, but we’ll be watching the next debate, and during the intervening month, for an appropriate response to this pressing issue.”