Arizonans for Gun Safety (AzGS) is a non-profit organization that aims to reduce gun-related deaths and promote gun safety. The organization also has education programs to teach about safe storage practices, non-violent conflict resolution, and ways to address youth violence.[5]
| Founded | 1995[1][2] |
|---|---|
| Founder | Geraldine Hills[1][3] |
| Type | 501(c)(3) |
| 86-0981306[4] | |
| Focus | Gun safety, Gun safety policy |
Area served | Arizona |
| Services | Policy related to gun violence prevention and responsible gun ownership Education >Advocacy |
| Method | Advocacy Community mobilization Outreach programs |
Key people | Maya Zuckerberg (President) Macey Chandler (Vice President) |
| Website | azgunsafety |
History
editIn 1994 the brother of Geraldine Hill was killed by a man with an AK-47 and a history of mental illness.[3] One year later, Hills created AzGS.[6]
Some other group members were similarly affected by gun violence. Jennifer Longdon joined and became a president of AzGS after she was paralyzed due to a random drive-by shooting.[7] Otis and Lory Smith joined the board of directors in 2000 after their daughter Shannon was killed from a stray bullet fired into the air.[8] The group was later instrumental in passing Shannon's Law, named after Otis and Lory's daughter.[9]
The group endorsed the Assault Weapons Ban of 2013.[10][11]
In 2014 AzGS filed an Amicus Curiae for the Appellee in the case of Heller v. District of Columbia.[12][13]
March for our Lives
edit
AzGS was a fiscal sponsor of the 2018 March for Our Lives protests that took place in Arizona,[16] with AzGS founder Geraldine Hills helping to manage more than $14,000 that March for Our Lives raised via GoFundMe merchandise sales.[17] An estimated 15,000 people showed up at the capitol protest on March 24, 2018.[18] High-schoolers, Arizona Congressman Ruben Gallego, and Geraldine Hills all took turns at the microphone.[18]
At the September 2019 March for Our Lives protest near the "Release the Fear" statue,[15] shoes and sandals of those affected by gun violence were placed at the base of the statue, including those of former U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords.[19]
Programs
editGun Buyback
editAzGS used to facilitate gun buyback weekends, collecting thousands of guns[20] in conjunction with the Phoenix Police Department.[21] In 2013 Governor Jan Brewer signed HB 2455 into law, requiring city or county-sponsored programs to resell (instead of destroy) guns they obtain,[22][23] rendering police buyback programs counterproductive.[21]
Artist Robert Miley, creator of the Release the Fear, a monument constructed of melted-down weapons used in violent acts across Arizona, said this of the HB 2455: "I think we need to turn to our youth and realize the things we pass now, whatever they are, they're going to affect generations to come".[24]
References
edit- ^ a b Nowicki, Karen. "Dr Gary Witt Global Gun Safety Awareness and Gerry Hills Arizonans for Gun Safety on Business RadioX". Business RadioX. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
- ^ Fahey, Amanda; Dafnis, Jordan (19 July 2018). "March for Our Lives taking push for gun-law reforms, voter registration on the road | Cronkite News". Cronkite News. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
- ^ a b Bland, Karina. "Bland: Old letter from John McCain shows how little has changed in 20 years of gun debate". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
- ^ "Arizonans For Gun Safety in Phoenix, AZ". Org Council. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
- ^ "About Arizonans for Gun Safety". Arizonans for Gun Safety. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
- ^ Nevarez, Griselda (11 December 2015). "Gun Violence Victims Will Be Honored Sunday in Downtown Phoenix". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
- ^ "2020 Jen Longdon". Arizona List. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
A recent former president of Arizonans for Gun Safety, Jen worked with the City of Phoenix to organize Arizona's largest gun buyback program which removed over 2,000 firearms from our street.
- ^ Scott, Eugene (2008-01-16). "Leaders remember mom who spurred Shannon's Law". archive.azcentral.com. The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ Faller, Mary Beth (18 June 2019). "ASU professor among top experts chosen to define firearm injury research agenda". ASU Now: Access, Excellence, Impact. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
- ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
- ^ "Feinstein Records 2013 Assault Weapons Ban" (PDF).
- ^ "Amended Notice of Intent to Participate as Amici Curiae and Representation of Consent" (PDF). Retrieved 21 January 2021.
- ^ "14-7071 – Dick Heller, et al v. DC, et al". govinfo. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
- ^ D'Andrea, Niki (19 January 2011). "The Release the Fear (a.k.a. "The Melted Weapons") Sculpture". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
- ^ a b Gilger, Lauren; Brodie, Mark (25 September 2019). "Groups Rally Across U.S. To End Gun Violence". KJZZ. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
- ^ Fahey, Amanda; Dafnis, Jordan (19 July 2018). "March for Our Lives taking push for gun-law reforms, voter registration on the road". Cronkite News. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
- ^ Flaherty, Joseph (2018-03-23). "Today's Phoenix March for Our Lives: What You Need to Know". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
- ^ a b Rosenblatt, Joseph Flaherty, Dillon (24 March 2018). "Just a Small Band of Students Brought 15,000 Together in Phoenix to March for Our Lives". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Smith/Cronkite, Barbara (26 September 2019). "March for Our Lives Arizona honors gun-violence victims, plans next steps on reforms". Cronkite News. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
- ^ "Arizonans for Gun Safety | Tempe, AZ | Cause IQ profile". CauseIQ.
- ^ a b DeLuca, Matthew (2013-05-15). "Anonymous donation funds Phoenix gun buyback". NBC News. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
- ^ Bump, Philip (30 April 2013). "How Arizona Gun Buybacks Became Gun Sellbacks". The Atlantic. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
- ^ Mello, Michael (4 May 2013). "Arizona law bans destroying guns purchased in buyback programs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
- ^ Kleinpete, Alice. "Bill would change gun buyback programs". Cronkite News. Retrieved 20 January 2021.