Everytown and Kansas Moms Demand Action Declare Victory in Ousting Gun Lobby-Backed State Representative Janice Pauls and Electing Gun Sense Candidates in Both State Chambers

WICHITA, Kans. – Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and the Kansas chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America today defeated the gun lobby by ousting State Representative Janice Pauls, House District 102. Everytown and the Kansas chapter of Moms Demand Action held Pauls accountable for her leading role in passing permitless carry, which effectively dismantled the concealed carry permit system and made it legal for dangerous people to carry hidden, loaded handguns in public with no permits and no safety training.

Additional gun sense candidates in both chambers from both parties were elected today in large part because voters supported candidates who will buck the gun lobby and protect Kansas families and communities from gun violence, proving that gun safety is not a partisan issue. This election, Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund spent more than $38,000 on mailers and digital ads in part holding Pauls accountable for leading the effort to dismantle the concealed carry permit system in Kansas during the 2015 session. Additionally, Everytown directly contributed $500 each to candidates from both parties who have strong records of support for gun safety including Barbara Bollier (SD 7), Stephanie Clayton (HD 19), Susan Concannon (HD 107) and John Wilson (HD 10).

“When lawmakers endanger our communities and families by supporting bad policies that are opposed by a majority of Kansas voters like permitless carry, we will hold them accountable for their actions,” said Katy Tyndell, volunteer with the Kansas chapter of Moms Demand Action, part of Everytown for Gun Safety. “Gun safety and responsible gun ownership matter to Kansas voters and the election results show that this is not a partisan issue.”

“Gun violence prevention is not a partisan issue, it’s a human issue,” said Tonya Boyd, a member of the Everytown Survivor Network from Topeka, whose daughter, Tyesha McNair, was shot and killed by her ex partner in 2009. “After my daughter was shot and killed, I learned that our nation’s gun laws are broken and that we need leaders who are willing to buck the gun lobby to fix them. This election cycle, I worked with other gun violence survivors, mothers, gun owners and dozens of gun safety advocates in Kansas to make sure that message was delivered loud and clear. And we know that message was heard.”

Everytown and the Kansas chapter of Moms Demand Action have more than 10,000 supporters in the state, many of whom were instrumental in achieving these victories. Leading up to the elections, volunteers attended candidate forums and campaign events, made calls to Kansas voters, knocked on doors in key districts and signed up Gun Sense Voters throughout the state.