NCJW Renews Call to End Gun Violence, Eliminate Illegal Guns
December 28, 2009, New York, NY -- The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) board of directors at its most recent meeting renewed its call for sensible policy to reduce gun violence and eliminate illegal guns. The board's action was prompted, in part, by the US Supreme Court's decision to consider a case that could result in major changes to the ability of state and local government to regulate guns. Following this action, NCJW released the statement below:
"In June 2008, the US Supreme Court held in DC v. Heller that the 2nd Amendment gives individuals the right to possess a firearm for private use, reversing longstanding court precedent. In early March the court will hear another gun case, McDonald v. Chicago, which is likely to determine whether states and localities may regulate guns under the US Constitution.
"These cases are alarming. The ruling in Heller has been used to squelch any effort at strengthening federal gun policy. If the court rules in favor of McDonald, it could lead to invalidating many state and local gun laws. More than 30,000 people die from guns annually in the US; about half are suicides. Guns are used in a significant percentage of domestic violence incidents and the presence of a gun in the home triples the risk of homicide there.
"NCJW has been an integral part of an ever-growing tide of local grassroots activism to curtail illegal gun sales nation-wide. Groups like Mayors Against Illegal Guns, Citizens for Safety, Ceasefire New Jersey, Heeding God's Call in Pennsylvania, and the Where Did the Gun Come From campaign, are decreasing the flow of illegal guns into our cities and towns.
"With its partners, NCJW supports specific measures to curb illegal guns and gun violence. These include: reviving the assault weapon ban that expired in 2004; reversing the new policy that allows guns in national parks if state law permits; promoting programs that encourage guns to be turned in to local authorities: and, eliminating the loophole that allows gun sales without background checks at gun shows and between private individuals.
"Ending gun violence must again become a national priority, and a commitment to programs and policy changes must be put high on the nation's agenda in the coming year. Thousands of lives are at stake."
The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.
Contact:
Emily Alfano
202 296 2588 x5; emily@ncjwdc.org