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Giffords, the Gun Safety Organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Captain Mark Kelly, announced its endorsement of Congressman Cedric Richmond for reelection. Richmond now joins a growing list of endorsed candidates supported by Giffords in 2018, as part of the organization’s #VoteCourage campaign, an effort to elect gun safety champions. The organization expects to announce additional endorsements in the weeks and months to come.
Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, co-founder of Giffords:
“America experienced three of the deadliest mass shootings in modern history in just the past year. Over 38,000 people in our country were killed by a gun. Louisiana has not been immune to this deadly crisis: somebody is killed by a gun in Louisiana every 8 hours. Despite this devastating reality, the gun lobby has used its cash and influence to stifle any attempts to pass laws on Capitol Hill to make our schools, streets, and communities more safe.
“The American people are outraged and tired of inaction. They are ready to use their power to demand that the leaders we elect to represent us are committed to creating a world where gun violence is not a daily problem. Voters are calling for leaders who will always put protecting the safety of our communities first, not themselves, and certainly not the gun lobby.
“Representative Richmond has acknowledged the devastating toll of our nation’s gun violence crisis, and he is working tirelessly to combat it. His passion, leadership, and dedication as a leading gun safety champion will be critical for our next victories in Congress to save lives and prevent future tragedies. Giffords is proud to endorse Cedric Richmond, a leader who has the courage stand up to the corporate gun lobby and who will never stop working to make Louisiana communities safer.”
Congressman Cedric Richmond (LA-02) was a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for 10 years, during which he sponsored a bill to ban assault weapons. Richmond was elected to Congress in 2011, where he currently serves as Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. Congressman Richmond supports expanding background checks, restarting federal research into gun violence, and banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Congressman Richmond also voted against concealed carry reciprocity legislation, voting to protect public safety by preventing permit holders from carrying hidden, loaded guns across state lines. We are proud to endorse Congressman Cedric Richmond for Congress in 2018.
Giffords’ #VoteCourage campaign aims to elect gun safety advocates to Congress and defeat politicians who have historically worked against gun reform, or done nothing at all to prevent gun violence. The political program targets incumbents in mostly suburban districts and uses a mixture of TV and digital advertising, on-the-ground organizing, and a voter registration push to create momentum for meaningful progress on gun safety.
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