Guns - Let's Talk About It
Montana has one of the highest rates of gun deaths in America according to the CDC.
Nationwide: In the eight years between 2015 and 2022, over 19,000 people were shot and killed or wounded in the United States in a mass shooting. The reach of each mass shooting stretches far beyond those killed and wounded, harming the well-being of survivors, their families, and entire communities. — https://www.everytown.org
What should be done and who can do it? Read further.
The Ravalli Democratic Committee supports responsible gun ownership
We believe Montanans should:
- Consider both the original intent and subsequent interpretations of the 2nd amendment to the constitution.
- Require background checks for all commercial and gun show gun sales.
- Prohibit new commercial and gun show sales of weapons of war.
- Encourage gun owners to take firearms training and/or hunter education.
- Discourage open carry of all firearms in urban and suburban areas.
- Encourage gun owners to safely secure guns in all situations.
- Promote “Red Flag” laws which allow courts to temporarily prevent people from accessing guns. These laws are intended to preemptively disarm people who show signs of being dangerous to themselves or others.
Montana Republicans have failed to address escalating gun violence in America
Republican politicians have generally opposed efforts to implement stricter gun control laws, such as universal background checks, assault weapons bans, and magazine capacity limits. They often argue that such measures infringe upon the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens without effectively addressing the root causes of gun violence.
A case in point:
President Joe Biden signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act into law on June 25, 2022. The act includes provisions for funding mental health services, state red flag laws and crisis intervention programs, community violence prevention, and school safety. It is intended to make streets and communities safer.
- Montana Representative Matt Rosendale was one of 193 House republicans that voted AGAINST this bill.
- Montana Senator Steve Daines was one of 33 Senators that voted AGAINST this bill.
- Montana Senator Jon Tester voted FOR this bill.
Montanans deserve politicians who will actively address gun violence
https://www.everytownresearch.org
Gun-related homicides in Montana from 2017-2021 were responsible for 128 deaths, while gun-related suicides were responsible for 3,359 deaths.
https://stacker.com/your-state/states-highest-rate-gun-related-fatalities
