Everytown, Arizona Moms Demand Action, Gun Violence Survivors Denounce Introduction of Dangerous Gun Bill That Would Strip Local and State Ability to Reduce Gun Violence

PHOENIX – Today, the Arizona chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and members of the Everytown Survivor Network, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety, denounced the introduction of House Bill 2118 by Representative Bob Thorpe.

House Bill 2118 would hand over Arizona’s state sovereignty to other states by creating an interstate compact that would block all states that sign on from passing any laws related to the sale or transfer of firearms beyond existing federal law. The bill would abdicate the state’s right to set its own laws and govern itself: Arizona’s elected officials would be unable to write public safety laws without the consent of other states – and would not be able to leave the compact without out-of-state permission or calling a special session of the legislature.

The same bill has been introduced during two previous legislative sessions. It was rejected both times.

STATEMENT FROM GENEVA HABER, A VOLUNTEER WITH THE ARIZONA CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:

“Once again, a gun lobby-backed legislator is introducing the same piece of failed legislation that aims to block our leaders from the work we hired them to do – to protect our communities from gun violence and put public safety first. Arizonans are tired of hearing about this extreme bill that is antithetical to the state’s strong values of independence. Our legislators need to be more focused on putting the safety of Arizonans ahead of the gun lobby and should immediately reject this legislation.”

STATEMENT FROM PAM SIMON, A MEMBER OF THE EVERYTOWN SURVIVOR NETWORK WHO SURVIVED THE 2011 ‘CONGRESS ON YOUR CORNER’ MASS SHOOTING:

“It is simply appalling to see House Bill 2118 being introduced not even one week after our state shared a common grief as we marked six years since the ‘Congress on Your Corner’ mass shooting. Passing this bill would mean our legislators would be giving other states veto power over public safety, which makes absolutely no sense. As a member of the gun violence survivor community and as a constituent, I urge our elected leaders to vote ‘no’ on HB 2118.”