Gun Violence Prevention Groups

Endorse New York State Assembly Candidates





New York, NY - Three major gun violence prevention organizations today announced their endorsements in several New York State Assembly races. New Yorkers Against Gun Violence (NYAGV), GunFreeKids.org, and The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence along with its Million Mom March Chapters work together to help protect New Yorkers from the threat of gun violence and support candidates who support strong gun laws.

The endorsed candidates announced today include 12 Democrats and 2 Republicans.

“The Assemblymembers we endorse today have been strong leaders in the fight to enact life-saving legislation,” said Jackie Hilly, Executive Director of NYAGV. “All New Yorkers deserve representation in Albany by people who share their ideals and will work hard for sensible gun laws. We can make a real difference in the fight against gun violence when our elected officials work with us to remove illegal weapons from New York communities.”

“The State Assembly historically introduces and passes a range of strong gun violence prevention bills only to watch them die on the vine in the State Senate,” said Andy Pelosi, President of GunFreeKids.org. “This year we want to recognize the Assembly leadership for their long-standing efforts in working to reduce gun violence, while also highlighting other members from both sides of the aisle that share the commitment of reducing gun violence in our state.”

This year microstamping and improved gun dealer regulations - both important law enforcement tools to help investigate and pursue crime guns and the criminals who use them - are at the top of the groups agendas. In 2008, the State Assembly passed both bills, but the Senate refused to act.

“We make it too easy for dangerous people to get dangerous weapons, and these Assembly Members will continue to fight for common sense gun laws to help keep our children and our families safe,” said Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign.

The Endorsed State Assembly Candidates Are:

Speaker Sheldon Silver, 64th Assembly District (Manhattan)

Assemblymember Patricia Eddington, 3rd Assembly District (Medford)

Assemblymember Steve Englebright, 4th Assembly District (East Setauket)

Assemblymember Charles Lavine, 13th Assembly District (Glen Cove)

Assemblymember Michelle Schimel, 16th Assembly District (Great Neck)

Assemblymember Tom McKevitt, 17th Assembly District (Garden City)

Assemblymember Tom Alfano, 21st Assembly District (Franklin Square)

Assemblymember Joseph Lentol,. 50th Assembly District (Brooklyn)

Assemblymember Annette Robinson, 56th Assembly District (Brooklyn)

Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh, 74th Assembly District (Manhattan)

Assemblymember Michael Benjamin, 79th Assembly District (Bronx)

Assemblymember Ruben Diaz, Jr., 85th District (Bronx)

Assemblymember Amy Paulin, 88th Assembly District (Scarsdale)

Assemblymember David Koon, 135th Assembly District (Fairport)

New Yorkers Against Gun Violence (NYAGV) is a statewide advocacy group working to build public awareness of the devastating impact of gun violence in New York and across the country, while advocating for sensible gun legislation on the city, state and federal levels.

Visit NYAGV at www.NYAGV.org

GunFreeKids.org is working to help empower voters in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and other states to participate in gun violence prevention activities in their communities and to support state-based candidates who favor strong gun laws.

Find out more at www.GunFreeKids.org

As the nation's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign, with its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, works to enact and enforce sensible gun laws, regulations and public policies. The Brady Campaign is devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities.

Visit the Brady Campaign website at www.bradycampaign.org .