Senator Anthony Portantino, Senator Dave Min, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel and Assemblymember Mia Bonta Join Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action Volunteers to Celebrate 10 Years of Life-Saving Advocacy 

Gun Safety Advocates and Champions Celebrate 10 Years of Moms Demand Action and Call on Lawmakers to Strengthen California’s Gun Safety Laws

SACRAMENTO, Ca. — Today, Senator Anthony Portantino, Senator Dave Min,  Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, Assemblymember Mia Bonta and more lawmakers joined hundreds of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers gathered at the State Capitol to call for decisive action on gun safety during their annual advocacy day. This year’s advocacy day marks 10 years of life-saving work across the country to protect families and communities from gun violence – with numerous gun safety policies on the table this session, including efforts to strengthen our concealed carry laws following the U.S. Supreme Court’s dangerous decision in Bruen and develop sustainable long-term funding for gun violence prevention programs. 

“California Moms Demand Action volunteers, alongside our community partners, have been fighting together for a future free of gun violence. Today, we’re standing shoulder to shoulder at the State Capitol to make it clear that there’s more to be done to fund and support those on the frontlines of this crisis,” said Alex Navarro, volunteer with the California chapter of Moms Demand Action. “2023 began with tragic mass shootings in Monterey Park, Half Moon Bay and every day someone is a victim of gun violence throughout our state. As we honor the memories of lives stolen by this crisis – we must work towards eradicating gun violence and further strengthening California’s gun laws.”

“We’re here today, standing with fellow students, advocates, and survivors to send a clear message — we won’t stop fighting until all of our communities are safe,” said Ashley Castillo, a volunteer with Students Demand Action in California. “We’re proud to work with California lawmakers who are leading the nation on gun safety, but there is still so much to do. We’re committed to this fight for the long haul, and we’re ready to get back to work.”

Thanks to the advocacy of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers and our partners, many of whom have been on the frontlines for decades, California has become the national leader in the fight to end gun violence. In recent years, volunteers have been at the forefront of requiring live-fire training for concealed carry permit holders, increasing funding for community violence intervention and prevention programs, passing historic legislation to require schools to notify parents and guardians about secure firearm storage, and legislation creating new pathways to hold firearm industry members accountable for irresponsible or illegal conduct. 

This year, Moms Demand Action volunteers are asking lawmakers to take action and pass proactive measures that will save lives. This comes after Moms Demand Action volunteers had major success this past election cycle — across the country 150 Moms Demand Action volunteers won their race for office, and gun violence prevention proved to be a winning issue — including in California where voters re-elected gun sense champion Governor Gavin Newsom and policymakers up and down the ballot. 

To speak to a local volunteer with Moms Demand Action, a volunteer with Students Demand Action, or a policy expert, please reach out to [email protected].