Following Advocacy by Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action Volunteers, California Lawmakers Prioritize Legislation to Ensure Secure Firearm Storage

The California chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, released the following statement applauding the California Assembly for unanimously advancing AB 452, legislation to require schools to notify parents and guardians about secure firearm storage laws. Secure storage laws are one of the simplest ways to prevent school shootings, gun suicides, and unintentional shootings by children. Following years of grassroots advocacy from Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers, at least 27 school boards in California already send home information about secure storage every year, but if passed, AB 452 would be the first legislation in the country requiring schools statewide to issue these notifications.

“Today, California lawmakers have shown their commitment to keeping our children safe in and out of the classroom,” said Kasey Zahner, a volunteer with the California chapter of Moms Demand Action. “The onus is always on adults to keep firearms away from children, and we applaud California lawmakers for taking action to ensure parents and guardians have the tools to do so.”

“I can envision a future where students like me don’t have to live in fear of gun violence,” said Roan Thibault, a volunteer with Students Demand Action in California. “Today, we’re one critical step closer to making that dream a reality, but this is only the beginning. We won’t stop fighting until we can all be safe, and we need leaders at every level to continue standing alongside us.”