FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 24, 2023

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TEXAS MAJORITY TO END GUN VIOLENCE COALITION TO HOST RALLY AT THE STATE CAPITOL ON ADVOCACY DAY TO CALL ON  LAWMAKERS FOR ACTION ON GUN SAFETY POLICY

Hundreds of Concerned Texans of All Stripes, Gun Safety Advocates and Champions From Across the State To Travel to Austin to Call for Action from Lawmakers to Strengthen Texas’ Gun Laws

Speakers, Survivors, Advocates, Gun Owners and Others Available for Interview in English and Spanish

AUSTIN, TEXAS — Tuesday, February 28 at 12PM CT, a diverse coalition of Texans called the Texas Majority to End Gun Violence will gather by the hundreds at the Texas State Capitol for a day of action, rallying on gun violence prevention measures and meeting with state lawmakers to ask them to address the gun violence epidemic with common-sense gun legislation this session. The coalition includes gun violence survivors, students and educators, faith leaders, mental health experts, gun owners, veterans, community organizers, parents and concerned Texans.

Since 2009, Texas has had eight high-profile mass shootings, where 10 or more people were shot — four of them among the deadliest in modern history. We have seen rising incidents of daily gun violence that too often don’t make headlines. In 2021, 4613 Texans¹ died by guns. Yet, our state leaders continue to refuse to take meaningful action. In fact, they have loosened gun laws in the last five legislative sessions, despite polls over the years that Texans in both parties want stronger gun laws. 

WHAT:

A rally at the Texas State Capitol with hundreds of Texans attending from across the state to make their voices heard on the steps and in the offices of state leadership on gun bills for the session. 

 WHO (RALLY SPEAKERS):

• Texas Senator Roland Gutierrez (SD-19)
• Texas Representative Vikki Goodwin (HD-47)
• Texas Senator Sarah Eckhardt (SD-14)
• Caitlyne Gonzales, Uvalde student and survivor of the shooting at Robb Elementary School
• Arnulfo Reyes, Uvalde teacher and survivor of the shooting at Robb Elementary School
• Christina Delgado, Texas Advocacy Associate for the Community Justice Action Fund and gun violence survivor, whose family and community experienced the shooting at Santa Fe High School
• Jane Winter, volunteer with the Texas Chapter of Moms Demand Action and gun violence survivor, whose son died by firearm suicide
• Bennie Price, Founder, Big Mama’s Safe House 
• Steven Kling, Senior Ambassador and State Chapter Leader, Giffords Gun Owners for Safety
• Nicole Golden, Executive Director, Texas Gun Sense 

Texas Capitol, South Steps – 1100 N. Congress Avenue, Austin, TX

WHEN:

12 PM CT on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 

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1.“Underlying Cause of Death, 2018–2021, Single Race” last accessed Jan. 11, 2023, https://wonder.cdc.gov/. Age-adjusted rates were used for all calculations.

ABOUT THE TEXAS MAJORITY TO END GUN VIOLENCE COALITION

The coalition includes, but is not limited to (in alphabetical order): Amnesty International USA, Big Mama’s Safe House, Black Lives Matter Houston, Children’s Defense Fund Texas, Community Justice Action Fund, Everytown for Gun Safety, Fierce Madres, Giffords, Giffords Gun Owners for Safety – Texas Chapter, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), March for Our Lives, Moms Demand Action – Texas Chapter, Mothers Against Greg Abbott, National Council of Jewish Women Austin, P.E.A.C.E Initiative, Students Demand Action, Texas American Federation of Teachers, Texas Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, Texas Gun Sense, Texas Impact, Texas State Teachers Association, VIP Fort Worth 

ABOUT TEXAS GUN SENSE

Texas Gun Sense is a statewide gun violence prevention organization founded in Texas. Nonprofit and nonpartisan, Texas Gun Sense advocates to prevent gun violence and other gun tragedies through education, partnerships, and policy change. 

ABOUT EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY

Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund (“Everytown for Gun Safety”) is the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with nearly ten million supporters and more than 375,000 donors including moms, mayors, survivors, students, and everyday Americans who are fighting for common-sense gun safety measures that can help save lives.

ABOUT GIFFORDS

Giffords is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives from gun violence. Led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Giffords shifts culture, changes policies, and challenges injustice, inspiring Americans across the country to fight gun violence.

ABOUT MOMS DEMAND ACTION

Moms Demand Action is the nation’s largest grassroots volunteer network working to end gun violence. Moms Demand Action campaigns for new and stronger solutions to lax gun laws and loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our families, educates policymakers and parents about the importance of secure firearm storage and works to create a culture of gun safety through partnerships with businesses, community organizations and influencers. There is a Moms Demand Action chapter in every state of the country and more than 700 local groups across the country. 

ABOUT STUDENTS DEMAND ACTION

Students Demand Action is the largest grassroots, youth-led gun violence prevention group in the country with more than 550 groups and active volunteers in every state and the District of Columbia. The movement, created by and for teens and young adults, aims to channel the energy and passion of high school and college-aged students into the fight against gun violence. Students Demand Action volunteers organize within their schools and communities to educate their peers, register voters, and demand common-sense solutions to this national public health crisis at the local, state, and federal level.