Everytown for Gun Safety Statement on President Trump’s “Listening Session” Amid Pressure to Act After Mass Shooting in Parkland, Florida

WASHINGTON – Everytown for Gun Safety released the following statement today after President Trump’s “listening session” with students, parents and other gun violence survivors amid national outrage in the wake of the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida.

STATEMENT FROM JOHN FEINBLATT, PRESIDENT OF EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY:

“If the president is truly listening to survivors of gun violence, then he will support legislation requiring criminal background checks on every gun sale — supported by 97 percent of American voters, and reject dangerous NRA priorities like ‘concealed carry reciprocity’ and guns in schools. Until then, any talk from this administration about protecting Americans from gun violence is just talk. Republicans and Democrats, students and educators, mothers and fathers are demanding that the White House and Congress meet this moment with significant action to reduce gun violence. If they do not, then voters are going to throw them out.”

STATEMENT FROM SHANNON WATTS, FOUNDER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:

“The NRA spent $30 million dollars to elect Donald Trump, and it’s getting what it paid for. He used a forum for survivors to promote NRA-priority legislation like ‘concealed carry reciprocity’ and arming teachers. Americans deserve more than gun lobby talking points — we deserve a president willing to take action on data-driven solutions to end gun violence. I’m glad that President Trump listened to survivors of gun violence, but I’ll save my praise until he acts. The status quo — letting the gun lobby write our nation’s gun laws — is unacceptable.”