ABOUT GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION
Our country has suffered too many tragedies at the hands of dangerous people who use guns to commit terrible acts of violence.
On average, more than 30,000 Americans die in a gun-related death each year, many of them suicides. In the last decade, more than 4 million Americans have been the victim of an assault, robbery, or other crime involving a gun—more than 20,000 of them children under the age of 18 killed by firearms.
Though most gun owners use their guns legally and responsibly, there is more we can do to better protect our children and communities—and prevent tragedies like those in Newtown, Virginia Tech, Aurora, Tucson, Charleston, Santa Barbara, Oak Creek, San Bernardino, and Roseburg, Oregon.
Nine out of 10 Americans support expanding background checks. It’s the right thing to do. But Congress has repeatedly and shamefully failed to stand up to special interests who want to maintain the status quo—that’s why we’re taking the fight to the state and local level, where Americans can raise their voices at home in their communities.
TAKE ACTION
Our solution to this epidemic can not be to do nothing. Even if we can’t prevent every tragedy, we have to do more to keep guns out of the wrong hands.
When an extreme minority in the Senate stopped passage of a 2013 bipartisan, common-sense measure to expand background checks and better protect our communities and families, OFA supporters refused to back down. We know that local organizing can change a community, and that can change a state. And state by state, we can bring that change to the country.
There is more we can do to prevent gun violence—and we’re going to keep doing our part. Right now, you can .
Another powerful and effective way to take action is to write a letter to your local paper. Make your voice heard in your own community and tell your neighbors that it’s time to expand background checks for gun sales now.
1.4 MILLION OFA SUPPORTERS DEMAND ACTION FROM CONGRESS
After a minority in the Senate stopped passage of a bill to expand background checks, OFA supporters gathered more than 1.4 million signatures from Americans demanding action and hand-delivered those petitions to Congress.
CHAMPIONS FOR CHANGE
Pam Simon
Teresa Crawford
The White House honored two OFA volunteers—Pam Simon and Teresa Crawford—for taking critical steps in their communities to reduce gun violence. Their stories are extraordinary, and they exemplify the commitment that OFA volunteers bring to the table across the country.
BACKGROUND CHECKS
Background checks save lives. But today, too many dangerous individuals are still able to get their hands on a gun. Expanding background checks is a common-sense measure supported by nine out of 10 Americans—including an overwhelming majority of gun owners—and would make our families and communities safer.
Federal and state lawmakers should act now to close the loopholes and pass measures to strengthen the background check system.
Meet some of the Americans standing up for background checks, then share your story of why you’re fighting to make your community safer from gun violence.
OFA isn’t waiting for Congress to act—we’re taking the fight to prevent gun violence to the state and local level.
THE PRESIDENT’S PLAN
Despite Congress’ inaction, President Obama is not backing down. When Congress failed to act in 2013 after the Newtown shooting, he proposed more than 20 Executive Actions to prevent gun violence.
In January 2016, after nearly three more years of inaction from Congress, the President continued to build on those efforts by issuing additional executive actions that will expand background checks and better enforce existing gun laws.
These executive actions will save lives, but only Congress holds the power to fill all the gaps in our gun laws. While no single legislation can solve every violent crime, prevent every mass shooting, or keep every gun out of the hands of a criminal—more must be done, and can be done. Congress must pass common-sense gun safety laws to make our communities and children safer from gun violence.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
TAKE A STAND AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE
Gun violence tragedies have become far too commonplace. It’s up to us to make sure there is a path forward. Add your name to fight to make progress on gun violence prevention.EmailZIP CodeSUBMIT
SHARE YOUR STORY
If you or someone you know has been affected by gun violence, share your story today—or pass along this page to a friend to have them tell their own.
GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION NATIONAL GROUP
Join Connect—the community organizing tool created for OFA volunteers, staff, and supporters. Get talking about the issues you care about.
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