http://ww2.americansforgunsafety.com/about.html
Our Mission
Americans for Gun Safety (AGS) is a new, centrist, non-partisan, national education and
advocacy group dedicated to the advancement of gun safety. AGS currently has grantees
and affiliated gun safety groups in twenty-eight states.
AGS recognizes and supports the rights of law-abiding Americans to own and use guns. We
also believe that with all rights come responsibilities, and we urge shared responsibility for
the safe use, storage and distribution of guns by all parties—manufacturers, dealers,
owners, law enforcement, and members of society in general. AGS is beginning a new
national dialogue, shifting the gun debate from one of rights versus responsibilities to one of
rights and responsibilities.
With the aim of reducing preventable gun deaths and injuries, AGS seeks first to raise
awareness about the need for increased gun safety in our country. We will also advocate a
range of common sense individual, state and national solutions to reduce gun access by
criminals and children. These solutions will include stricter enforcement of existing laws,
closing the loopholes in state and national laws, adoption of safe gun design features,
promotion of gun safety training, and other sensible approaches to reducing gun violence.
AGS is confident that our common sense approach to gun safety will work. We can make
this country safer from gun violence, but only when all parties involved with guns recognize
that they can and must contribute to the solution. Americans know that we can do more to
promote safety without infringing upon the rights of responsible, law-abiding gun owners.
AGS is committed to work with all Americans to find these solutions.
AGS, based in Arlington, Virginia, was founded in July 2000, and is supported by Mr.
Andrew J. McKelvey, the Tides Center, the Tsunami Fund and other donors. Over the next
year, we will be bringing together a wide range of civic and business leaders who share our
commitment to a safer America to be members of an AGS national advisory board.
Action Plan
Consistent with our "rights and responsibilities" approach, Americans for Gun Safety will
undertake a three-part action plan:
National Awareness Campaign
AGS will lead an unprecedented multi-year, multi-million dollar national awareness
campaign to educate Americans about the facts of gun violence and the need for
sensible solutions. AGS will encourage citizens and political leaders to actively support
our call for rights and responsibilities. This awareness effort will include:
•
A national network television advertising campaign
to be launched in 2001
•
A web site and toll free number that provides information and avenues for citizen
action to advance the cause of gun safety
•
A state-by-state billboard campaign
Support Common Sense Solutions at the Grassroots Level
AGS will help expand local grassroots capacity and foster the development of
community-based, common sense solutions by supporting existing state gun safety
organizations across America. While the gun debate has been stalled in Congress,
many state grassroots organizations have made important progress by developing
local and state solutions to improve gun safety. AGS will help expand these efforts by:
•
Providing these non-partisan groups with funding, training and services. Currently,
AGS has grantees and affiliated gun safety groups at the grassroots level in
twenty-eight states
•
Supporting state-backed citizen education and awareness efforts, working with
state groups to support sensible national and state gun safety measures
•
Increasing citizen membership in state groups
Support Public Dialogue and Policy Development Efforts
AGS will support ongoing public dialogue and policy development efforts that highlight
the need for stronger enforcement of existing laws and promote common-sense
solutions. These will include:
•
Sponsoring conferences with AGS grantees, affiliated groups, and other interested
organizations to share strategies and success stories
•
Hosting conferences to educate local and state legislators about effective gun
safety laws
•
Supporting dialogue between gun owners and non-gun owners, to search for
common ground on solutions to reduce gun violence
•
Using these findings to encourage and cultivate a broad spectrum of civic leaders
such as teachers, public health experts, law enforcement, community and religious
leaders, gun owners and others who are committed to finding sensible solutions to
improve gun safety
Grantees and Local Affiliates
AGS has 28 grantees and local affiliates, and more are planned.
For information, see our list of Local Groups.
And just what will it say?
