**VIDEO INCLUDED** Advocates Hold Lombardo Accountable and Discuss the Need for Gun Violence Prevention Measures - Battle Born Progress
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**VIDEO INCLUDED** Advocates Hold Lombardo Accountable and Discuss the Need for Gun Violence Prevention Measures

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 29, 2022

Contact: Will Pregman, wpregman@battlebornprogress.org, 702.752.0656

**VIDEO INCLUDED**

Advocates Hold Lombardo Accountable and Discuss the Need for Gun Violence Prevention Measures

**Link to Recording**

**Link to Google Drive With Videos & Pics From Show**

NEVADA – On Thursday, community advocates and organizations gathered virtually on Battle Born Progress’ weekly web show, Out In Front With Annette, to discuss the upcoming 1 October Anniversary, gun violence prevention efforts, and the need for law enforcement to join the fight to end gun violence. Each speaker discussed aspects of the gun violence prevention fight and the need to ensure Nevada continues leading on this issue. During the episode, the discussion contrasted the responses of Nevada gubernatorial candidates Steve Sisolak and Joe Lombardo, reviewing the former’s signing of gun safety bills and the latter’s promises to do away with this legislation. In addition, guests discussed their reaction to candidates like Adam Laxalt shifting blame from the gun lobby to issues of mental health and school security. 

Groups and speakers on the call issued the following statements:

“This Saturday marks five years since the 1 October massacre in which 58 people were killed and hundreds more injured in my district. It remains the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history. My sincere condolences go to the families of those killed and injured and to the professionals who cared for them. Today is a difficult day for all of Las Vegas, but in the face of unimaginable horror, our city has shown resilience. Following the tragedy, I vowed to help find solutions to prevent future acts of gun violence in our communities. My Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act builds on existing law by requiring bump stocks to be registered under the National Firearms Act, making it illegal to manufacture, sell, or possess them. I was proud to spearhead the inclusion of this measure in the House-passed Protecting Our Kids Act, and to support other measures, including a ban on high-capacity magazines and closing the Boyfriend Loophole. Our community, along with the others scarred by gun violence, will continue fighting until we have made real progress in addressing this deadly plague,” said Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01)

Commissioner Justin Jones said:

“1 October shook the Las Vegas community to its core. Yet, we have remained Vegas Strong and bounced back from this horrible tragedy. That does not mean our work is done. We must continue pushing forward with policies that make sense and work to prevent mass tragedy. Dismantling our existing gun laws would put Nevadans at risk. There is no need to do this, especially in the face of continued mass violence in the United States. Nevada can and should continue leading on this issue.”

Geena Marano, Volunteer with Moms Demand Action said:

“As a survivor, I cannot overstate the importance of strong leadership in the Governor’s Office. We have to ensure our elected officials are advocates for gun safety legislation so we can prevent more mass casualty events like Route 91 (1 October). No family or friend should have to go through the horror of running for their lives at a concert, grocery store, or any other public place.”

Annette Magnus, Executive Director of Battle Born Progress, said: 

“As we mourn the 1 October mass shooting this year, we also reflect on which elected leaders answered the call to prevent another horrible tragedy and which decided gun lobby endorsements were more important. As Governor, Steve Sisolak signed bills establishing universal background checks, safe storage, extreme-risk protection orders, and a ban on homemade firearm kits, known as ghost guns. Sheriff Joe Lombardo, despite seeing the carnage first-hand in his official capacity, is running on a platform of undoing these critical pieces of legislation that are going a long way toward protecting our Nevada communities from further trauma and death as a result of gun violence. One who purports to be committed to public safety should know better than to allow the spread of untraceable deadly weapons throughout our state. And calling for more guns in schools is outright reckless.  A similar response was seen from Adam Laxalt, following the Uvalde Massacre this year. Repeatedly shifting blame does not solve the issue of gun violence. We will continue holding our elected officials to account for how they approach the epidemic of gun violence in America that leaves communities in a constant state of terror at the mall, schools, churches, grocery stores, movie theaters, and everywhere else.”

Stephan Abrams, Team ENOUGH National Chapter Coordinator, Fellow & Executive Council Organizer said:

“It is time for leaders to hold the gun industry accountable for their continued deception and shirking of responsibility. It’s easy to turn a blind eye to the availability of firearms like ghost guns but the truth is too many of these guns fall into the hands of children or prohibited persons. As Nevadans work toward keeping common sense gun violence policies in place, they need no assistance from bad actors who want to dismantle the progress they have made.”

“Governor Sisolak and the Legislature have put common-sense and life-saving reforms in place, and Nevada voters want to keep them,” said Stephen Lindley, with Brady. “Law enforcement officers have joined the fight to end gun violence in Nevada, and it’s unfortunate that Joe Lombardo, Clark County Sheriff, has not. Governor Sisolak will continue to protect life-saving laws like the ghost gun ban and extreme risk protection orders, legislation that has had a measurable impact on Nevada communities. Governor Sisolak will continue to do everything possible to keep guns out of the hands of prohibited people, as opposed to kowtowing to the NRA. Nevadans deserve a fighter in their corner, a champion for children and families, and it’s Governor Steve Sisolak.”

Notes: Spokespeople in Spanish or English are available for individual interviews.

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About Battle Born Progress: Battle Born Progress, through strategic communication efforts, empowers, engages, and mobilizes Nevada voters to build a state where everyone has a fair opportunity to succeed. We support, engage, and mobilize the progressive community through bold leadership, strategic communications, accountability, and education. We are on the cutting edge of new media and are the go-to source for progressive issues and advocacy for traditional media. Learn more at https://battlebornprogress.org/.