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Dear Levi,

The 2020 Virginia General Assembly had just begun, and I had to pinch myself. 

After 13 long, hard years, we were finally going to pass legislation to save lives. It was so emotional. It felt unreal -- walking the halls, sitting in the gallery, watching votes for legislation like universal background checks, Extreme Risk Protection Orders, gun possession prohibitions for domestic abusers, child access prevention laws, locality control over regulation of firearms in public places, bump stock prohibitions, a one-gun-a-month law, banning guns in preschools and daycare centers, and increased funding for violence interrupter programs in the budget. More than a dozen safeguards to address the public health epidemic of gun violence are now law in Virginia. I even got to stand with Governor Ralph Northam when he signed those bills into law. Join the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV) as we bring moments like these to states across the country. 

My mind wandered back in time -- to my first visit to the Capitol after my daughter was shot and injured in her French classroom, when I naively thought the Virginia General Assembly would listen to me and the other families of the Virginia Tech tragedy. How could they ignore the anguished pleas of so many? I quickly learned that’s exactly what the Republican controlled general assembly would do -- put the interests of the gun lobby ahead of the safety of our families and our communities. And I went to work to stop them. I joined the staff of CSGV in 2009 and never looked back.  

With support from many of you over these long years, CSGV has grown and changed the gun violence prevention movement in Virginia and in states across the country -- demanding policies and resources to address the public health epidemic of gun violence. And our efforts have paid off. Despite federal gridlock, we’ve seen big wins at the state level. 

The successes we’ve seen in Virginia and other states are the results of the work our team has been doing for years -- and we’re not slowing down. We are actively working to strengthen gun laws in 15 crucial states ranging from Pennsylvania to North Carolina to New Mexico. Join us as we pursue our state-focused strategy and fight back against the gun lobby!

CSGV has fought hard for policy change in the states, and we will keep fighting with support from individuals like you. It has been satisfying and humbling to see change happen in my home state of Virginia. And if this type of change can happen in Virginia, it can happen anywhere. 

Please join us as we work toward a safer country and pursue a future free from gun violence. Support CSGV with a gift today! 

Thank you, 

Lori Haas

Senior Director of Advocacy

Coalition to Stop Gun Violence

Dear Levi,

Did you know that after enduring the trauma of gun violence and suffering the loss of a loved one, grieving families cannot seek justice from gun manufacturers and dealers? While these families grieve, they do not get their day in court because the gun industry is protected by powerful allies.

This is the kind of injustice that motivated me to dedicate my career to ensure that laws serve the common good. In my role as Senior Director of Law & Policy at the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV), I am deeply committed to fighting laws like the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), which was pushed through Congress in 2005 by the corrupt gun lobby to do a favor for their friends in the gun industry.

This law shields firearms manufacturers and dealers from liability for their own negligence when crimes have been committed with their products. Almost no other industry enjoys the level of protection that the gun industry has as a result of PLCAA. Join me in fighting to end this injustice. In the name of what is right and just, PLCAA has to go!

I believe in the rule of law. I’ve dedicated my career to using the law to advocate for others. Under PLCAA, we continue to see doors slammed in the faces of those seeking to hold the gun industry accountable. It’s unjust. It’s unacceptable. And it cannot stand.

It is critically important to repeal PLCAA immediately. Gun industry immunity has been the law of the land for far too long. It’s time to hold manufacturers and dealers accountable. Join me and CSGV as we work to repeal gun industry immunity as the Biden administration takes office!

I believe in accountability. It is one of the tenets upon which our legal system stands. If someone is hurt by the actions of the gun industry, the gun manufacturers should be held legally responsible. Instead of providing protection for victims, PLCAA provides protection for the gun industry. That’s just not right. Support CSGV with a year-end gift to help us say NO to gun industry immunity. We can’t do this important work without you. 

Thank you, 

Kelly Roskam

Senior Director of Law & Policy

Coalition to Stop Gun Violence

Dear Levi,

In less than 24 hours, when we bid farewell to the most difficult year in recent history, we have the opportunity for a new start. As 2020 ends, and we face all the turbulence in its wake, we at the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV) also thankfully welcome the promise that the Biden administration holds for gun violence prevention.  

Now is the time to seize this new beginning and make gun violence prevention a priority in 2021.  

We must urge Congress and state legislators to step up at this crucial time, honor the wishes of the majority of the American public, and implement policies to end the gun violence epidemic. 

Our New Year’s resolution is to prioritize three critical areas of gun violence prevention:

• Requiring universal background checks to close the loopholes that allow prohibited purchasers to acquire guns 

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• Expanding Extreme Risk Protection Order laws that permit firearms to be temporarily removed from those who pose a danger to themselves or others 

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• Investing in ending community violence and funding prevention programs to assist those most affected by gun violence 

Of course, we want to do even more, but by placing these real life-saving policies at the top of our agenda, we have the ability for true impact.

Will you join me in this charge toward progress? 

We can make great strides in gun violence prevention in 2021 with your help. Please make a gift at this significant turning point to invest in a future free from gun violence.

Your year-end gift will help CSGV forge a new path forward. Now is the time to add your voice to the collective call to lay down arms and embrace a more peaceful society.  

With 20 days until Inauguration Day, and only three days until the new Congress is sworn into office, the time for change is now. With your support we can build the momentum to effect concrete change at this pivotal point of progress.  

On behalf of everyone at CSGV and the Ed Fund, I wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy New Year!

Thank you, 

Josh Horwitz

Executive Director

Coalition to Stop Gun Violence