National and Local Support Pours In For Washington Ballot Measure to Create Extreme Risk Protection Orders, Empowering Family Members and Law enforcement to Prevent Firearm-Related Tragedies.

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(Seattle, WA) – The Alliance for Gun Responsibility ERP Committee issued the following statement Monday morning, following the release of March 2016 fundraising reports. The committee has raised $296,954.50 for the month of March from 1,051 individual donors, bringing the campaign’s total raised to $313,794.58 from 1,181 donors, with  $1,255,000 in additional pledged contributions.

“We are very excited to begin our campaign with the support of Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund, Steve and Connie Ballmer, and Nick Hanauer who are dedicated advocates for gun responsibility, as well as nearly 1,200 small donors,” said Campaign Manager Stephanie Ervin. “I-1491 is vitally important. If passed, it has the power to stop gun-tragedies before they happen by giving family members and law enforcement the power to take action to remove firearms from a person who is a danger to themselves or others. In so many cases of suicide, homicide, and mass shootings there are warning signs and violent changes in behavior before a deadly incident occurs. We want to empower the people who are most likely to see those warning signs, family members and law enforcement, to take action and prevent tragedy. Early support from engaged donors committed to reducing gun-related injuries and deaths is vital to our success in taking on the outsized influence of the gun lobby in Washington State and shows the strength and diversity of our movement.”

“The Alliance for Gun Responsibility is doing some of the most important work in Washington State,” added Nick Hanauer. “The gun lobby has had a huge influence over our legislature for too long. If you look at the numbers, the residents of Washington want this kind of common-sense reform by huge margins, but you go to Olympia and it’s all roadblocks because of gun lobby money and influence. I’m very excited that the voters of Washington will have a chance to weigh in on responsible reform in November, and proud to support the Alliance for Gun Responsibility in their work.”

“Washington voters spoke loud and clear in 2014 when they approved background checks for all gun sales. Now, Washington’s Moms Demand Action chapter, the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, gun violence survivors, and other gun safety advocates are rolling up their sleeves once again – this time, with the goal of empowering law enforcement and families alike to prevent tragedy when someone poses a significant threat to self or others. We’re thrilled to support this important next step in Washington’s gun violence prevention movement, and we look forward to I-1491 becoming law,” said John Feinblatt, President of Everytown for Gun Safety.

About Initiative Measure No. 1491

Initiative Measure No. 1491 concerns court-issued extreme risk protection orders temporarily preventing access to firearms. This measure would allow police, family, or household members to obtain court orders temporarily preventing firearms access by persons exhibiting mental illness, violent or other behavior indicating they may harm themselves or others. Learn more at https://gunresponsibility.org/extreme-risk-protection-orders/.

About the Alliance for Gun Responsibility

The Alliance for Gun Responsibility works to end the gun violence crisis in our community and to promote a culture of gun ownership that balances rights with responsibilities. Through collaboration with experts, civic leaders, and citizens, we work to find evidenced-based solutions to the crisis of gun violence in our community. We create innovative policy, advocate for changes in laws, and promote community education to reduce gun violence. Learn more at www.gunresponsibility.org and follow us at @WAGunResponsib.