In advance of Senate hearings later this week, rap and hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons came out today in favor of strong gun control measures. In the email to the progressive organization Courage Campaign, Simmon
s specifically calls on Senate Democrats to take bold action and pass:
- A ban on assault weapons.
- A ban on high-capacity magazines.
- Universal background checks by closing the private sale (gun show) loophole.
- A federal database that fully utlilizes modern technology to help law enforcement to pursue criminals who buy and sell illegal guns.
You can see the full email below.
——— Forwarded message ———-
From: Russell Simmons, for Courage Campaign
Date: Fri, Feb 22, 2013 at 4:42 PM
Subject: Do they deserve it?
A message from legendary hip-hop pioneer Russell Simmons, known for his work with Jay-Z, the Beastie Boys, and Run DMC, among many others.
“They deserve a vote.” -President Obama
I don’t know about you, Molly, but I was profoundly moved by President Obama’s State of the Union address. Beginning with Hadiya Pendleton’s parents, the president repeatedly declared that every victim of gun violence “deserves a vote” on major gun safety proposals.
I’ve thought long and hard about guns and their role in American society. I will do all I can to help pass common sense reform and end our epidemic of gun violence.
Every piece of potential legislation to end gun violence will begin its journey through Congress in the Senate Judiciary Committee. As MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow has said, “Whatever the Senate Democrats do on this issue will set the bar for Republicans in the House to compromise away from. You’re never going to get any better.”(1) The Committee has 10 Democrats and 8 Republicans, and passing legislation onto the the full Senate only requires a majority vote.
What should they include? Here’s a start:
- A ban on assault weapons.
- A ban on high-capacity magazines.
- Universal background checks by closing the private sale (gun show) loophole.
- A federal database that fully utlilizes modern technology to help law enforcement to pursue criminals who buy and sell illegal guns.
On Wednesday February 27, Sen. Dianne Feinstein will chair a hearing on the assault weapons ban before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Hearings like this will help decide which legislation moves forward and which dies in committee. With Democrats in charge, all of these measures should be approved by the Committee so that they get a full vote in the Senate.
Don’t let the NRA drown out your voice. Demand that Democratic Senators lead.
Yours in the fight to end gun violence,
Russell Simmons
1. http://act.couragecampaign.org/go/16?ak_proof=1&t=6&akid=.614361.UzQ-B-
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CourageCampaign.org is an online organizing network that empowers more than 750,000 grassroots and netroots activists to push for progressive change and full equality in California and across the country. As a leading multi-issue advocacy organization, Courage Campaign’s work is supported by thousands of small donations from our diverse community.