Two gun violence prevention organizations have announced they are joining forces in an effort to strengthen state-level advocacy efforts.
Freedom States Alliance (FSA) merged with States United to Prevent Gun Violence (SUPGV) and assumed its name on Feb. 23. The new organizations’ stated goal is to support existing state-based gun violence prevention organizations and expand the network of groups working to reduce gun violence in America.
"Despite the tragic and ongoing epidemic of gun violence in this country, policymakers remain unwilling to take any meaningful action to address this urgent public safety issue," said Sally Slovenski, executive director of SUPGV.
She added that the merger will increase opportunities for the sharing of resources and strategies for state groups with a view of influencing anti-gun agenda "in state houses across the country."
As a an example of grassroots success, SUPGV cited Ceasefire New Jersey whose advocacy helped pass a one-gun-a-month law in the state.
However, in one commentary after the announcement, a blogger writing for GunPoliticsNY.com, dismissed the move by stating that "fresh off their defeat with the new federal law allowing guns in national parks, [these]organizations are merging in an attempt to remain relevant."
The amendment to the Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights Act of 2009, authored by Senator Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), which permits national park visitors to possess firearms consistent with the laws of the state in which the park is located, went into effect on Feb. 22. 