“It was very significant that Sen. Obama directly addressed the gun violence issue in our country,” said Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.

Washington, DC (RUSHPRNEWS) August 30, 2008 — The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence praised Senator Barack Obama for highlighting the need for common sense gun laws in his speech accepting the Democratic nomination, specifically addressing easy access to assault weapons:

“I was fortunate to be in Mile-High Stadium last night to watch and listen to Sen. Obama’s historic speech as he accepted the Democratic nomination for President of the United States,” said Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.

“It was very significant that Sen. Obama directly addressed the gun violence issue in our country. He decided to strike a balance between rights and responsibilities, and showed how we can have common sense gun laws in America to protect our families and communities,” Helmke said.

As Senator Obama said, “The reality of gun ownership may be different for hunters in rural Ohio than they are for those plagued by gang violence in Cleveland, but don’t tell me we can’t uphold the Second Amendment while keeping AK-47’s out of the hands of criminals.”

Brady President Paul Helmke continued, “Since the Supreme Court issued its opinion on the meaning of the Second Amendment, the debate over gun laws in America has moved to the middle ground. Now, common sense gun laws that save lives and protect police can be debated on their merits.
“America wants sensible restrictions on the easy access to dangerous weapons, and Sen. Obama clearly recognized that last night,” Helmke said.

As the nation’s largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign, with its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, works to enact and enforce sensible gun laws, regulations and public policies. The Brady Campaign is devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities.

Visit the Brady Campaign website at www.bradycampaign.org. For continuing insight and comment on the gun issue, read Paul Helmke’s blog at www.bradycampaign.org/blog/.

Contact Information
Doug Pennington
Brady Center To Prevent Gun Violence
http://www.bradycampaign.org
dpenn@bradymail.org
202-898-0792