One Million Moms For Gun Control Becomes Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense In America

Grassroots Movement Re-Brands to Support Long-Term Mission

INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- One Million Moms for Gun Control announced today that it will now be known as Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.

The fast-growing grassroots movement is changing its name two months after it was formed in order to better define its mission: to urge legislators to take action now on new and stronger common-sense gun laws. In addition, the new name will help reduce the likelihood of any confusion with similarly named organizations.

"Getting weapons of war off our streets is an uphill battle, but the only way we're going to get this done is if members of Congress hear directly from parents, teachers, law enforcement and doctors – the citizens who understand all too well what gun violence is doing to our country," said California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, author of the Assault Weapons Ban of 2013. "I applaud the leadership of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, and I am grateful for the grassroots commitment of moms all across this country to saving lives and helping to pass common-sense gun laws. Now is the time for action."

Moms Demand Action's middle-ground solutions to the escalating problem of gun violence in the United States are straightforward:

1) Ban assault weapons and ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds.

2) Require background checks for all gun and ammunition purchases.

3) Report the sale of large quantities of ammunition to the ATF, and ban online sales of ammunition.
4) Counter gun industry lobbyists' efforts to weaken gun laws at the state level.

Since forming on Dec. 15, 2012, Moms Demand Action has received important input from stakeholders on its name and mission. This input will enable the organization to achieve its long-term mission to build support for new and stronger gun laws at the federal and state levels.

"This name change recognizes that reducing gun violence requires a comprehensive approach that focus on everything from background checks and assault magazine limits to mental health and our culture's glorification of violence," said California Rep. Mike Thompson, chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. "Working together, we can put policies in place that both respect the Second Amendment rights of responsible gun owners and make our schools, communities and country safer."

Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, said, "We are heartened by how quickly we've grown and how central we have become to 'gun sense' efforts in America. Like Mothers Against Drunk Driving, our mission is to motivate and mobilize moms to encourage their legislators to support common-sense legislation. Our new name and the term 'gun sense' reinforces that there is a middle ground on solutions to the epidemic of gun violence in America."

First references to Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America in articles should use the formal name. Secondary references can use the shortened version, Moms Demand Action.

About Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
Much like Mothers Against Drunk Driving was created to change laws regarding drunk driving, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America (www.momsdemandaction.org) was created to build support for common-sense gun legislation. The nonpartisan grassroots movement of American mothers is demanding new and stronger solutions to lax gun laws and loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our children and families. In just two months, the organization has tens of thousands of members with more than 80 chapters across the United States.

SOURCE Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America