Updates 

(2/23/2013)

 

1) Video of the forum is posted below. Thanks to DMA for the recording. 

2) We have several possible next steps:

• Participate in and promote the Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America campaign

• Advocate for specific state or federal legislation as opportunities arise

• Host additional forums on the topic

• Charter a Yolo chapter of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

• Please take a moment to complete a brief 5-question survey if you would like to engage on this issue.  It will help us determine interest and where we can be most effective.

3) Finally, to be added to Amanda Wilcox's e-mail list for legislative update, you may send a request directly to her at CABrady@live.com.

We welcome your thoughts and suggestions and look forward to continued action on this important issue. 

 Duration: 113.32 minutes.  

Letter to the editor

3/5/2013

It’s Time

 

Our actions will not prevent every senseless act of violence in this country. In fact, no laws, no initiatives, no administrative acts will perfectly solve all of the challenges…  But we were never sent here to be perfect.  We were sent here to make what difference we can -- to secure this nation, expand opportunity, uphold our ideals through the hard, often frustrating, but absolutely necessary work of self-government.
-President Barack Obama, State of the Union Address, January 2013
 
 
 
As private citizens who have served as elected representatives of the Davis community, we speak with one voice, “It’s time to take action to reduce gun violence.”
 
The lessons of Newtown, Aurora, Tucson, Stockton, Nevada City, and Columbine are stark.  American policy, or lack thereof, makes it far too easy for guns to be misused or fall into the wrong hands.
 
The violence continues.  Nearly 100,000 people are shot in the United States each year.  According to recent statistics on Slate.com, 27 people die from gunshot wounds daily. That’s the equivalent of a Newtown massacre each and every day.
 
Americans are ready for change.  In January 2013, 88.8% of the overall population supported background checks for all firearm transfers.  Even more telling, 84.3% of firearm owners and 73.7% of National Rifle Association members expressed the same support.  (Source: http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/vprp/)
 
Recognizing the tide is turning, leaders in the United States Congress and the California Legislature are working on legislation to ban assault weapons and high capacity magazines, to require reporting of sales of large quantities of ammunition, and to limit the scope of concealed weapons laws.  Mental health services must also be improved.  These efforts require our active and vocal support.
 
The votes will be tough, but the face and the future of our country will change only through concerted, concentrated effort. 
 
Now is the time.
 
Signed,
 
Sheila Allen, president, Davis School Board
Davis Campbell, former trustee, Yolo County Board of Education
Gina Daleiden, vice president/clerk, Davis School Board
Lucas Frerichs, member, Davis City Council
Richard Harris, former trustee, Davis School Board
Brett Lee, member, Davis City Council
Joe Krovoza, mayor, Davis City Council
Susan Lovenburg, trustee, Davis School Board
Bill Owens, trustee, Yolo County Board of Education
Jim Provenza, supervisor, Yolo County
Don Saylor, supervisor, Yolo County
Stephen Souza, former member, Davis City Council
Tim Taylor, trustee, Davis School Board
Helen Thomson, former supervisor, Yolo County
Dan Wolk, mayor pro tem, Davis City Council

 

The forum will take place from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Community Chambers, 23 Russell Blvd.   The event is free and open to the public. 

Dr. Wintemute, an emergency room physician, will present current research on reducing gun violence as well as American public opinion on gun control.  Amanda and Nick Wilcox are the parents of Laura Wilcox whose death as a result of gun violence in Nevada City in 1999 inspired "Laura’s Law."  The Wilcoxes will provide an update on state and federal legislative efforts in the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown , Connecticut.  Opportunities for action will be considered.  

The event is co-sponsored by the Yolo Local Mental Health Board.

Saving California Communities is a group of Yolo community members who join forces to advocate for effective state and local governance.  This group brings together county, city and school elected representatives; educators; parents; students; health professionals; university and community college representatives; senior citizens; government employees; and business owners.

For additional information, please visit http://www.SavingCA.org or e-mail info@SavingCA.org.