NEWTOWN ACTION ALLIANCE OUTRAGED BY BERNIE SANDERS’ NRA STANCE ON GUN INDUSTRY IMMUNITY
For Immediate ReleaseMarch 8, 2016
Contact: Po Murray pmurray@newtownaction.org 203-512-1778
NEWTOWN ACTION ALLIANCE OUTRAGED BY BERNIE SANDERS’ NRA STANCE ON GUN INDUSTRY IMMUNITY
We urge Bernie Sanders to honor the Sandy Hook families and other families of victims and survivors of gun violence by keeping his promise to support the Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act to repeal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.
NEWTOWN, CT – During the Democratic debate held in Flint, Michigan, CNN moderator Anderson Cooper asked Senator Bernie Sanders what he would say to the Sandy Hook families who filed a lawsuit against Remington. Senator Sanders parroted the NRA’s talking points by stating that he disagreed with holding the gun manufacturers liable if the gun was legally purchased. He also suggested that these lawsuits would result in “ending gun manufacturing in America”.
Yesterday, the NRA commended Senator Sanders for his statement of support for the gun manufacturers on Twitter and Facebook.
In 2005, Senator Sanders voted to support the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), which gave the gun industry broad immunity from liability when its products result in violence and death. Hillary Clinton voted against PLCAA as a Senator and she stated last night that no other industry in America enjoys this type of immunity and repealing PLCAA would make guns safer when the gun industry is held accountable.
“The NRA and Bernie Sanders could not be more wrong,” stated Po Murray, Chairman of the Newtown Action Alliance. “Repealing PLCAA would not end gun manufacturing in America. The gun industry had a vibrant manufacturing history before the PLCAA law was passed in 2005. It’s understandable why the NRA would take on such a position as it spent $12 million to secure the passage of the PLCAA law to protect gun industry profits but it’s insulting that Senator Sanders would subscribe to the same extremist views of the NRA.”
Murray continued, “In order to reduce the devastating gun violence epidemic in our nation, we need a President who will reject the NRA rhetoric to stand with the Sandy Hook families. The Sandy Hook shooter used a military-style semiautomatic AR-15 rifle to easily and efficiently kill 20 children and six educators in a matter of minutes. Senator Sanders should recognize the fact that the gun industry should not be selling these weapons of mass destruction to civilians. We urge Senator Sanders to firmly support the Sandy Hook and other families of victims and survivors of gun violence by keeping his promise to co-sponsor S. 2469 and support H.R. 4399, the Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act, introduced by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) to repeal PLCAA.”
Dave Stowe, Vice Chairman of the Newtown Action Alliance stated, “Senator Sanders change in position due to pressure from Secretary Hillary Clinton and gun violence prevention groups motivated him to be a co-sponsor on the PLCAA repeal bill. It is extremely puzzling that a Senator who recently signed on to co-sponsor a bill would have absolutely no idea what was in it.”
Stowe continued, “Senator Sanders entire campaign is premised on the idea that the economic system in our country is rigged to benefit big business. It is troubling that when he bases his whole campaign on this concept that he somehow thinks it is ok that the gun industry enjoys immunities that no other industry in our nation enjoys and benefits that were gained as the result of the big business (the gun industry) rigging the system to give them significant legal protections not realized by any other industry. His blind spot for the gun industry runs counter to is economic message and is pure hypocrisy.”
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The Newtown Action Alliance (www.newtownaction.org) is a grassroots organization formed after the tragic shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School. It works to make America’s children, families, and all citizens safer through legislative and cultural change that will reduce gun violence.
This message was made independently of any candidate or political party.