Trone Holds Gun Violence Prevention Forum with Rep. Lucy McBath in Rockville
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hannah Muldavin, Hannah.Muldavin@mail.house.gov
Trone Holds Gun Violence Prevention Forum with Rep. Lucy McBath in Rockville
More than 370 people heard from experts and champions in the fight to reduce gun violence
Rockville, MD – Tonight, Representative David Trone (MD-06) hosted a gun violence prevention forum with Representative Lucy McBath (GA-06), a gun violence prevention champion and new Member of Congress. More than 370 people attended the event, and seven local organizations provided information and resources to prevent gun violence.
Representative Lucy McBath lost her 17-year-old son Jordan Davis to gun violence in 2012. Since then, she has worked closely with Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action to advocate for public safety measures that protect people from gun violence. She was elected to Congress in 2018.
The forum featured a panel discussion with Representatives Trone and McBath; Dr. Joseph Sakran, associate Chief of the Division of Acute Care Surgery at the Johns Hopkins Hospital; Delegate Lesley Lopez, Maryland Delegate from District 39 and Chair of the of the Gun Legislation Working Group in the Maryland General Assembly; and Nate Tidbite, youth activist and Student Member of the Montgomery County Board of Education.
“It is critical that we address the gun violence epidemic and stop senseless shootings from taking the lives of innocent people,” said Congressman David Trone (MD-06), a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force in Congress. “We need solutions that address the issues at the root of gun violence, such as mental health. Far too many people have an easier time accessing guns than they do quality mental healthcare, and we need that to change.”
“The vast majority of Americans support common-sense solutions to address gun violence, and I’m happy that Congress is finally taking meaningful action to prevent future tragedies,” said Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06). “I thank my colleague, Representative David Trone, for prioritizing gun safety and for encouraging these important conversations. This is about saving lives.”
“Gun violence is not a Democratic issue, it’s not a Republican issue, it’s a uniquely American issue,” said Dr. Joseph Sakran, associate Chief of the Division of Acute Care Surgery at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and gun violence prevention advocate. “We must have the moral courage to do right by our fellow citizens and pass common sense gun reform that will reduce firearm-related injury and death in America.”
“I’m in a unique position as a legislator to work on gun policies because I’m someone who has both fired guns and been shot at,” said Delegate Lesley Lopez, Maryland Delegate from District 39 and Chair of the of the Gun Legislation Working Group in the Maryland General Assembly. “Every time I see another school shooting, I think back to my experience in second grade, and know we must continue the momentum for change. Gun violence prevention bills save lives. Period. I’m so glad to be a part of a broad coalition of federal, state and community leaders dedicated to making our state safer.”
“In our country, we have archaic gun control laws for a 21st century reality,” said Nate Tidbite, youth activist and Student Member of the Montgomery County Board of Education. “We, as people, have to register, mobilize, and organize voters in our communities to address the status quo and the many innocent lives are taken daily due to gun violence. We can do this.”
“America is reeling from a gun violence crisis that has left students afraid to go to school, worshippers scared to practice their religion, and parents terrified to let their kids play in the neighborhood,” said Robin Lloyd, Giffords Managing Director. “While the House of Representatives has listened to the American people’s demand for action by passing bipartisan gun safety legislation, the Senate has stood by and done nothing. We are grateful to leaders like Congressman Trone and Congresswoman McBath for making this crisis a priority in Congress and supporting the most significant gun safety agenda in a generation. They refuse to be silent while nearly 40,000 Americans die from gun violence every year. It’s time for the Senate to pay attention too.”
The following organizations attended the forum: Be Smart for Kids, Giffords: Courage to Fight Gun Violence, Moms Demand Action, MoCo Students for Change, Montgomery County Health and Human Services: Abused Persons Program Trauma Services, Montgomery County Police Department, and Students Demand Action.
Congressman David Trone was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2018 to serve the 6th District of Maryland, which includes all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. Trone serves on the Education and Labor, Foreign Affairs, and Joint Economic Committees, where he is fighting to make progress on issues that matter to Marylanders, including the opioid epidemic, criminal justice reform, and funding for medical research.
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