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New, National Centrist Organization, Americans for Gun Safety, Seeks to Reshape Gun Debate by Emphasizing Rights and Responsibilities Americans for Gun Safety Spent $2.8 Million to Support the Measures; Victories Challenge Gun Lobby in Key Western States, Signal Potential Sea-Change in National Gun Debate Washington, DC—A new, national, centrist organization, Americans for Gun Safety (AGS)—supported by a civic-minded business leader—will launch a multi-million dollar national public education and outreach campaign to promote gun safety and support common-sense solutions to gun violence, organizers announced today. Launching with grantees and affiliates in 28 states, AGS will advocate a new approach to reducing gun violence—one that explicitly supports the rights of gun owners, while seeking greater responsibility for gun safety and gun crime prevention from manufacturers, distributors, gun owners, law enforcement and citizens at large. "I'm a parent, not a politician, and I'm fed up with the lack of common sense in this debate, and I know many other Americans feel the same way," said AGS supporter Andrew McKelvey, CEO of the employment search firm TMP Worldwide. "I believe deeply that if we present the American people with the unbiased facts about this problem, they will help lead us to the most sensible solutions." "Americans sense there's much more we can do to stop gun violence, and that we can do it without infringing on the rights of law-abiding citizens," said Jonathan Cowan, president of Americans for Gun Safety."The key is a nonpartisan, national commitment to support gun rights while demanding responsibility from everyone involved with guns—dealers, manufacturers, owners, and law enforcement." The AGS has committed significant support to fight for citizen-led ballot initiatives in Colorado and Orgeon designed to close the gun show loophole in those states. The gun show loophole allows unlicensed dealers to sell weapons at gun shows without conducting criminal background checks. Unregulated firearm sales at gun shows have been a source of weapons used in crimes, including guns used in the Columbine massacre and the Grenada Hills, California, day care center assault. "State gun violence prevention organizations welcome the resources, business savvy, commitment, and mainstream, common-sense messages of Americans for Gun Safety," said Carolynne Jarvis, president of the Michigan Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence and of States United, an affiliation of gun safety organizations across the country. "States United is excited to be working with AGS. Together, we think we're going to dramatically change the debate on gun safety in this country." About Americans for Gun SafetyAmericans for Gun Safety is a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization that supports the rights of individuals to own guns, and seeks better laws and tougher enforcement of existing laws to help keep guns out of the hands of criminals and children.
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