ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Everytown Victory Fund Albuquerque (“Everytown”) released the following statement after incumbent Mayor Tim Keller, a gun sense candidate and member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, won re-election — defeating Manny Gonzales, a dangerous, gun lobby-aligned candidate who opposed background checks on all gun sales, making it easier for violent criminals to buy deadly weapons. Everytown sent direct mail to make sure voters knew where Gonzales stood on gun safety.
“Mayors have long been on the frontlines of the fight for gun safety, because as executives, they know the buck stops with them,” said John Feinblatt, head of Everytown Victory Fund Albuquerque. “We were proud to support Mayor Keller, who recognizes that the gun violence crisis requires action, which is a big reason why voters delivered him a victory.”
“Mayor Tim Keller has been a strong gun sense champion who always puts the needs of his community and public safety first,” said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action. “This victory proves that supporting the gun lobby’s dangerous ‘guns everywhere’ agenda is the easiest way to lose an election.”
Voters are increasingly rejecting candidates for office who would violate their oaths by ignoring the rules on the books and refusing to enforce gun safety laws. So-called “second amendment sanctuary laws” like the one that Gonzales supported are unconstitutional efforts to invalidate all gun safety laws, and law enforcement officers nationwide have spoken out about how it makes their lives harder and puts their lives at risk.
