America’s Gun Violence Epidemic

Two years ago today, a gunman opened fire inside a high school in Parkland, Florida, killing 17 students and staff members. There have been over 500 incidences of gunfire in American schools since 2013.* There have been over 200 mass shootings in America in the last 10 years, four of which were in Nevada. And Washington has done nothing.

According to EveryTown For Gun Safety, an average of 52 women are killed by an intimate partner every month. “Abusers with firearms are five times more likely to kill their victims, and guns further exacerbate the power and control dynamic used by abusers to inflict emotional abuse and exert coercive control over their victims.” Women of color, trans women, and indigenous women are more likely to be victims of gun violence. Yet Washington does nothing.

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Not to mention the hundreds of instances of everyday gun violence including homicides, suicides, unintentional shootings, and more. Access to a gun increases the likelihood of death by suicide by 3x. And Washington remains silent.

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We know that gun violence is not caused by movies and video games. We know that anger and hatred are not mental illnesses. We know that hopes and prayers do not replace action. These are excuses to avoid the real problem. It’s time for common sense gun safety legislation to keep our children and communities safe.

One month after the Parkland school shooting, students all over the country marched in protest of the NRA and politicians that support it.  apnews.com

Teachers unions speak about the traumatizing effects of Active Shooter Drills in schools. apnews.com

Let’s be clear: Democrats are not trying to take guns away from responsible gun owners. That’s a right-wing scare tactic. We want legislation such as universal background checks, red flag laws, closing boyfriend loopholes, and gun owners to be held accountable for storing their weapons responsibly.

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I grew up in rural South Dakota where gun culture is strong, and I’ve owned guns myself. Nevada needs a leader who can work with Democrats and Republicans to dispel “gun control” myths perpetuated by the NRA and pass laws that will protect our communities.

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Our current congressman, Mark Amodei, voted with the NRA and against universal background checks, even though the people of Northern Nevada voted in favor of them! I never have and never will take a dime from the NRA, and I will fight to reduce their influence in Washington.

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I’m fed up with our government doing nothing about America’s gun violence epidemic, and I’m fired up to solve it. But I need your help to get there. I’m the only one running for CD-2 who has an understanding of gun culture and the causes of gun violence, and sensible plans to help solve it. Please click below to join our fight against gun violence in America! Our children are depending on us.