NRA Annual Meeting 2015: Everytown, Moms, Gun Violence Survivors and Advocates to Rally in Nashville as Counterweight to Extremist Gun Lobby

Nashville, Tenn. – Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and nearly 400 gun safety advocates – including nearly a dozen gun violence survivors – will come together on the sidelines of the 144th National Rifle Association Annual Meeting in Nashville this weekend to counter the gun lobby’s dangerous agenda and rally for safer gun laws that are supported by an overwhelming majority of Americans.

The annual meeting gets underway as the NRA is pushing dangerous legislation in statehouses across the country to force guns on campus or to allow people to carry hidden, loaded guns in public with no permit. In fact, in Tennessee NRA lobbyists are attempting to push dangerous guns in parks legislation that would force all Tennessee towns and cities to allow guns in their parks and recreation areas that is expected to land on Governor Haslam’s desk in the coming days. At this weekend’s rally, Everytown and Moms Demand Action will remind the extremist leadership of the NRA – and Tennessee lawmakers – that gun safety advocates are going toe-to-toe when it comes to fighting dangerous gun legislation in statehouses across the country.

In addition, earlier this week, Everytown and Moms Demand Action released a new video entitled, “Lil’ Wayne (LaPierres)” (available here) that features children reading, verbatim, NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre’s words using fear and paranoia to advance the gun lobby’s extreme agenda.

**Please contact [email protected] for interview requests**

What:

Nearly 400 gun safety advocates rally to push back against dangerous gun legislation in Tennessee and in state legislatures around the country.

Who:

• Shannon Watts, Founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
  
• Kathleen Chandler Wright, volunteer leader in the Tennessee chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
  
• Debby Edwards, gun owner and volunteer leader in the South Carolina chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
  
• Richard Martinez, son Christopher Ross Michaels-Martinez was shot and killed killed in the May 2014 shooting near UC Santa Barbara and Senior Outreach Associate for Everytown
  
• Lucia McBath, son Jordan Davis was shot and killed in 2012 in Florida over loud music and Outreach Community Organizer for Everytown
  
• Robert Washko, retired Assistant U. S. Attorney and criminal prosecutor. Bob is a Tennessee resident, a gun owner and maintains a concealed carry permit. Bob is also a veteran a recipient of the Bronze Star and Combat Air Medal, as well as other awards and decorations.

**Special musical performance by Mark D. Sanders, an American country music and Grammy award winning songwriter, with over 14 number one hits**

Please contact [email protected] for time and location details.

Additional Spokespeople Available For Interview Throughout the Weekend:

Marie Delus (NY): Marie’s nephew was shot and killed and both of Marie’s sons survived shootings in New York. Marie is a United States Marine Corp Veteran of Desert Storm and is a volunteer with Everytown for Gun Safety.
Khary Penebaker (WI): Khary’s mother committed suicide with a gun. Khary is a volunteer with Everytown for Gun Safety.
Peter Read (VA): Peter’s daughter Mary Read was shot and killed during the mass shooting at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007, along with 31 of her classmates and professors. Peter is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel.
Stephanie Stone (GA): Stephanie’s only child was shot and killed in an armed robbery in 2014. Stephanie is a volunteer with Everytown for Gun Safety.
Barbara Stowe (SC): Barbara’s sister was shot and killed by her abusive boyfriend who was a convicted felon, legally prohibited from possessing firearms. Barbara is a volunteer with Everytown for Gun Safety.
DeAndra Yates (IN): DeAndra’s 13-year-old son, DeAndre, was shot at a birthday party and survived but can no longer walk or talk and he is in therapy to try to regain these basic skills. DeAndra is a volunteer with Everytown for Gun Safety.