To the Editor:

Last week, Dan Carter, State Representative of Bethel, Danbury, Newtown and Redding, tweeted that the Newtown Action Alliance (NAA) and Connecticut Against Gun Violence (CAGV) along with the National Rifle Association (NRA) are responsible for gun deaths in our nation.  He tweeted “Both sides are against reasonable solutions, so they are all responsible for gun deaths – NRA, NAA, CAGV.” 

The NAA was formed after the horrific senseless tragedy that occurred in Newtown on 12/14/12. We are a group of volunteer moms, dads, grandparents, students, clergy, teachers and families of victims of gun violence from across the nation, working together to transform our tragedy into meaningful action to keep our children and families safe from gun violence in our nation.  We have been pushing for common sense legislation such as expanded background checks that is supported by more than 90 percent of Americans.  There are 100,000 gun deaths and injuries annually in our nation and our goal is to reduce the number of gun deaths and injuries.  We give voice to the growing number of families of victims of gun violence. 

In contrast, the NRA is a heavily funded gun lobby that fights any and all common sense legislation.  A group of 2nd Amendment absolutists took over the NRA in 1975 and it works tirelessly to expand gun rights throughout the nation with fear mongering tactics to sell more guns to anyone and everyone with a goal of having gun anywhere and everywhere.  In 2010, the NRA’s revenue was $228 million and in 2011, Chief Executive Wayne LaPierre was paid a salary of $831,709.   The NRA’s only goal is to increase corporate profits for the gun industry by buying and intimidating legislators in the state houses and in our Capitol buildings.  The NRA is culpable for senseless gun deaths in our nation. 

The NAA partnered with CAGV to advocate for the CT bipartisan gun safety legislation and since Governor Malloy signed them into law last April, there have been 28 fewer murders, 1747 pistol permits revoked and 210 dangerous people were denied rifle and shotgun purchases when they failed the background checks.  Studies after studies demonstrate that states with stronger gun laws have fewer gun deaths.  We helped to make Connecticut a safer place to raise our children. 

It is stunning that Dan Carter chose to vote against the CT gun safety laws despite the fact that he was elected to represent our community which has been devastated by one of the worst school shootings in American history. Even more stunning is his lack of judgment when he made a decision to publicly insult the heartbroken volunteers with a hurtful statement that the group is responsible for gun deaths in the nation.  Dan Carter is out of touch and he is the only person who has confused the NAA with the NRA. He owes each and every tireless volunteer of NAA a sincere apology.

Po Murray

Chairman

Newtown Action Alliance

38 Charter Ridge Drive, Sandy Hook         October 28, 2014