Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action Release Suggested Gun Violence Prevention Questions Ahead of Miami Presidential Debates
6.24.2019
NEW YORK – Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a part of Everytown, today released suggested gun violence prevention questions that NBC moderators should ask during the Miami presidential debates this Wednesday and Thursday. Key questions include:
1. What role do you think the President should play in combating gun violence, and what actions would you take on gun violence prevention in your first 100 days?
2. What is your number one gun violence prevention policy priority?
3. For years, the National Rifle Association has held a vise-grip on many members of Congress so it can block much of the gun safety legislation you propose. As president, how would you combat the influence of the NRA?
4. How do you think you can work with Congress to accomplish what previous Presidents have not been able to?
“At campaign events across the country, voters have been asking candidates about their plans to prevent gun violence — so it only makes sense to raise the same questions on the national debate stage,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “Voters deserve to know how candidates plan to address one of the nation’s most urgent public health crises.”
“This week, presidential candidates will take center stage in Florida, a state that has been devastated by gun violence,” said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “2020 candidates owe it to the American people to detail their innovative policies to keep our families safe from gun violence. Our volunteers will be watching from the venue in Miami and all across the country to make sure gun violence prevention is a priority for all presidential candidates.”
The 2020 presidential cycle has been notable for the number of candidates proudly embracing gun safety as an issue to run and win on. Everytown previously released this video of 2020 presidential candidates speaking out about their support for gun safety while on the campaign trail.
Last month, Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and Moms Demand Action announced the release of the 2020 Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate questionnaire to all major 2020 presidential candidates. Each candidate has until early July to complete and return the questionnaire in order to be considered for the presidential Gun Sense Candidate distinction this cycle. Questionnaires ask about where the candidates stand on the issues, how candidates are making gun safety a central part of their campaigns and how candidates will lead on gun safety if they win.
In order to qualify for the Gun Sense Candidate distinction, candidates must also address Moms Demand Action members in person. The first opportunity for presidential candidates to do so will be during Gun Sense University, on August 3, 2019, in Washington, D.C.
Moms Demand Action volunteers are already attending candidate forums to elevate the issue of gun safety around the country — and will continue to do so until the 2020 election.