A View From The Campaign – Feb 2021 Newsletter

The Campaign To Keep Guns Off Campus is embarking on different ways to stay in touch with and keep our members better informed about our work, how you can assist and what’s on the horizon. Please take a moment to read our Newsletter and learn more about what’s happening with The Campaign all across the country.

This month we are talking about guns on campus in Florida, Montana, New Hampshire, Missouri & West Virginia and our voter participation and safe gun storage work in rural Georgia. We are also celebrating Black History Month by featuring powerful voices and organizations who push us to realize that the past holds the key to dismantling the entrenched racism of today.  Given the hardships being faced by many Texans after the devastating storm we have also included a way to help folks out below.

We have recently relaunched our newly designed website: KeepGunsOffCampus.org Check out the site to learn more about our work and how you can be a part of the solution in your own state.

Finally, as you know, The Campaign does not exist without your continued support. We cannot thank you enough for your past generosity.  2021 is shaping up to be a very busy year, so we are grateful for anything you can do. Please follow and share our actions, and consider going the next mile with us by making a sustaining gift of support.

Thanks for all you do.

Andy Pelosi
Executive Director

Instagram: @KeepGunsOffCampus Twitter: @KeepGunsOffCamp

 

The Campaign is excited to have new leadership in Washington, DC. President Biden and Vice President Harris understand that the country is plagued by the scourge of gun violence with nearly 40,000 people being killed every year. Our hope is that the administration will support and shepherd, gun violence reduction strategies that will have meaningful results for the different communities impacted by gun deaths and injuries.  That said, we also do not want to lose site of the fact that in many states across the country, legislatures and Governors are working to weaken gun laws in the name of “God-given” and “second amendment rights” – all at the expense of public safety. Click here to read their Feb. 14 statement memorializing the 3rd anniversary of the Parkland shooting.

New Hampshire – HB 307 – A bill that would pre-empt schools, colleges/universities and all municipalities from enacting gun laws is beginning to move in the NH House. The Campaign is part of a broad coalition headed by GunSenseNH. Our main concern is that if this bill is signed it would negatively impact NH’s colleges and universities, as well as K-12 public schools because loaded, concealed handguns will be permitted. New Hampshire residents, click here to take action today!

Montana – HB 102 (Signed)– A bill to force loaded, concealed handguns on campus (as well in banks and bars/restaurants) has unfortunately been signed into law. The Campaign is grateful to the coalition of students, social justice, and other gun control groups in who worked in opposition to HB102. Montana residents – thank you so much for your emails and calls. We will keep you posted if HB 102 makes its way into the courts.

West Virginia – SB 246 – On Feb 12th, the West Virginia State Senate reintroduced legislation to force the public colleges and universities to allow students (18+), faculty and visitors to carry loaded, concealed handguns on many parts of campus (with exceptions). Unlike 2019, when The Campaign and a broad coalition successfully fought a similar bill, this new version, SB 246, provides a number of carve outs and exceptions as to where guns could be carried. We are now working with fellow coalition members to fight this bill before the legislature adjourns in March.

Our work in rural GA communities to promote the safe storage of guns, especially in homes where at-risk children and/or adults are present, will expand this summer to include virtual trainings offered free of charge. Subjects will include how keeping guns locked & stored saves lives along with the demonstration of simple, cost effective safe storage solutions.

Finally, we are pleased the Georgia Senate is considering SB 146, which would make it a misdemeanor for adults (18+) who have made a firearm accessible to a child, as well as requiring firearms dealers to post warning signage. The Campaign will keep you posted on the bill’s progress and how you can advocate for its passage.

The Campaign began our work in March 2009 in Texas helping students at UT Austin plan a rally at the Capitol against guns on campus legislation that would be held two years after the Virginia Tech Massacre (April 16, 2009). Ensuing campaigns followed and our connection to the state remained strong.  Given the recent winter storm that has pummeled Texas, creating hardship for so many people across the state, we are asking Campaign members to join us in helping Texans with food and water.  Please consider making a donation to Feeding Texas. We thank you.

How else can you help? Here’s two easy ways to answer that questions

1) Participate in our action alerts. Share them with your friends and colleagues via social media and email. Each person you bring in makes all of us stronger and diversifies our voices.

2) Consider a monthly gift to The Campaign. 2021 is off to a fast start and we need your help to help carry us through. Our opponents are opening up new fronts in many states and it will take a considerable effort to fight them off. Making a monthly, quarterly or weekly gift to The Campaign will help ensure that we have the resources to fight for safer schools and smarter gun laws. Click here to give now and THANK YOU!

Thanks for all you do to support The Campaign To Keep Guns Off Campus.