Washington Ceasefire

Dear E-Friends,

One year ago, on April 16th, the deadliest shooting rampage in U.S. history left us with the loss of 33 lives. This tragedy served as a stark reminder of the toll our lack of sensible gun regulation is taking on our nation. We must work with our community members and policy makers to strengthen our gun laws. Requiring background checks for all gun purchases and having a comprehensive and continually updated National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) are necessary to our safety. Please join WCF on Wednesday, April 16th at noon at Westlake Park to voice your desire for sensible solutions to the firearm violence epidemic. Here’s what else is happening this month at WCF:

RESEARCH

Department of Justice Report on Background checks.
Background Checks work! They are an important method of protecting American citizens. Read the DOJ report about http://www.ojp.gov/bjs/pub/html/bcft06st/bcft06st.htm how background checks have kept our communities safer since the passage of The Brady Act in 1994.
Background checks have proved useful in thwarting attempts of felons and other dangerous peoples from attaining guns. But, 81% of all involuntary commitment records in Washington State currently are not recorded into background check databases; allowing individuals to obtain firearms who cannot handle the responsibility. Furthermore, only registered gun dealers must run a background check and any individual can legally purchase firearms through classified ads, from strangers, family members or at gun shows without a background check. We must close the gun show and private sale loopholes.

ADVOCACY

S. 2577: A bill to establish background check procedures for gun shows was brought forth by Senator Lautenberg (D-NJ) at the end of January. This bill attempts to remedy the gun show loophole, and implement background checks at gun shows. Please tell Senator Murray and Senator Cantwell that it is imperative that not only vote in favor of this bill, but are proactive in passing it. We need to keep guns out of the hands of criminals, dangerous individuals, and people not capable of handling a gun responsibly. To write your senator please visit:

http://washingtonceasefire.org/blog/lysondra/s-2577-a-bill-establish-bac...

To view the bill please visit:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?tab=main&bill=s110-2577

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

April 16th: On the anniversary of Virginia Tech, Washington CeaseFire will participate with over 80 communities in 34 states to raise awareness about the ease of obtaining a firearm. People across the country will lie down in groups of 32 to symbolize those murdered at Virginia Tech, they will remain lying down for the amount of time it took the shooter to purchase a firearm, roughly 3minutes.Please join us to show your outrage over the lives lost due to a lack of sensible gun laws. We will be protesting at Westlake Park (across the street from Westlake Center) at noon.

April 26th: You still have time to register for the 6th Annual Memorial Tom Wales 5K run/walk. This is a great way to support Washington CeaseFire, so grab some friends and register here: http://www.tomwalesrun.com/registration.html

May 15th: Our annual Luncheon is almost here. Join us in honoring Mayor Greg Nickels for his commitment to reducing firearm violence. http://washingtonceasefire.org//events

**Become a member, we are always looking for people who care about the safety of our children and want sensible solutions or donate, our organization can always use your support.**

Sincerely,
Lysondra Ludwig
Membership Coordinator Washington CeaseFire
http://washingtonceasefire.org/contact

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