Everytown And Moms Demand Action Statements On Mass Shooting In Suburban Houston That Killed Four Children And Two Adults

NEW YORK, July 10, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America released the following statements in response to a domestic violence-related mass shooting last night in Spring, Texas – about 25 miles north of Houston – in which six people were killed, four of whom were children.

"Yet another gun violence tragedy has struck our country -- our thoughts and prayers go out to this community today," said John Feinblatt, President of Everytown for Gun Safety.  "This event, and another shooting last night at the National Guard Armory in Perry County, Tennessee, in which one person was killed remind us of the gun violence epidemic that kills 86 Americans every day – eight of whom are children or teenagers.  That's why Americans are standing together to call for political leaders to take meaningful action to end the scourge of gun violence.  It's not too soon to talk about the public safety measures that can prevent these tragedies and save lives – it's too late."

"Our hearts break once again because of the senseless murder of four children and two adults last night," said Shannon Watts, Founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.  "This tragedy also reminds us of the strong connection between mass shootings and domestic violence – and the deadly role of guns in domestic and family violence.  More than half of women murdered with guns in the U.S. in 2010 — at least 54 percent — were killed by intimate partners or family members.  But in states that require background checks on all gun sales, 38 percent fewer women are shot to death by their intimate partners – this is precisely why we won't give up on our fight to make it harder for domestic abusers to get and keep guns.  Women's and children's lives are on the line."

Key Finding from Everytown's Analysis of Recent Mass Shootings:

• In at least 57 percent of the mass shootings between January 2009 and September 2013, the shooter killed a current or former intimate partner or family member.

Key Everytown Research on Guns and Domestic Violence:

• Women in the U.S. are 11 times more likely to be murdered with guns than they are in any other developed nation.
• More than half of women murdered with guns in the U.S. in 2010 — at least 54 percent — were killed by intimate partners or family members.
• The presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation makes it five times more likely that the woman will be killed. 
• In states that require background checks for all handgun sales, 38 percent fewer women are shot to death by their intimate partners.

Spokespeople including gun violence prevention experts, domestic violence advocates and survivors are available for interviews.  Please contact [email protected].

About Everytown for Gun Safety

Everytown for Gun Safety is a movement of Americans fighting for common-sense policies that will reduce gun violence and save lives.  Everytown is the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with more than 1.9 million supporters including moms, mayors, survivors, and everyday Americans who are fighting for reforms that respect the Second Amendment and protect people.  At the core of Everytown are Mayors Against Illegal Guns, founded in 2006 by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Boston Mayor Tom Menino, and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a grassroots movement of American mothers founded on the day after Newtown.  Learn more at www.everytown.org and follow us @Everytown

CONTACT:
Erika Soto Lamb: [email protected] or 646-580-5281
Stacey Radnor: [email protected] or 202-870-6668

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SOURCE Everytown for Gun Safety