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Victory For Gun Safety: Washington Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action Applaud Signing of Gun Safety Laws in Washington

5.19.2021

Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action Advocated and Testified in Support of Legislation Signed by Governor Inslee

OLYMPIA, Wash. —The Washington chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, released the following statement today applauding the governor’s signing of gun violence prevention legislation, including bills to increase police accountability. Last week, Governor Inslee also signed gun safety legislation to prohibit open carry of firearms on the Capitol grounds and at permitted protests

“This session, gun safety prevailed,” said Ashlee McDonald, a volunteer with Washington Moms Demand Action. “After an attack on our Governor’s mansion and relentless police violence in this year, it feels good to take action to make our communities safer from a public health crisis that continues to steal the lives of nearly 800 people every year in our state. This win is not the end — we will continue to fight like hell in our communities and next session to make Washington state safer.” 

“This gives me hope,” said Talia LeVine, a volunteer with Students Demand Action in Washington. “We can prevent gun violence in Washington, and it starts this life-saving gun safety legislation. We will continue to work with our community partners to fight against all types of gun violence in our state.”

In April, the Washington legislature included over $3.2 million for violence intervention and prevention funding in the 2021-2023 budget. The funding will be distributed between the Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention, community gun violence grants, youth violence prevention grants, and to establish a youth safety tip line.

The Washington chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action have fought for common-sense gun safety laws in the state for years. This session, volunteers and supporters attended an annual virtual advocacy day in March and took 3,742 digital actions, including 3,086 emails and 674 calls, supporting gun safety legislation. 

More information about open carry is available here, and more on police violence is available here. Additional information on gun violence in Washington is available here, and Everytown’s Gun Law Navigator — which shows how Washington’s gun laws compare to those of other states — is available here.