Violence Policy Center
Holding a Gun to a Standard
by Janet Schulman and Nancy Neuman
 According to the National Rifle Association, "The Violence Policy Center currently is probably the most effective... anti-gun rabble rouser in Washington." GUNS KILL Firearms kill more than 30,000 Americans each and every year—more than all other household and recreational products combined. Yet unlike manufacturers of other consumer products—from teddy bears to jet aircraft—the gun industry is exempt from federal health and safety regulation. Each day in the United States, 8 children and teenagers die from gun violence. A federal study found that U.S. children aged 14 years and younger had a firearm-related death rate nearly 12 times higher than children in 25 other industrialized countries combined. The Violence Policy Center (VPC) (www.vpc.org) works to stop gun death and injury in America. Our mission is simple: to save lives. To this end, the VPC supports a ban on handguns, assault weapons, and military grade weaponry, such as 50 caliber rifles, now available to the general public. The Violence Policy Center The Violence Policy Center works to hold the gun industry's products to the same health and safety standards that virtually all other consumer products must meet. The VPC educates the public and policymakers, stressing that firearms violence is a broad-based public health, not solely a crime, issue, as most gun deaths are not crime related. Each year, statistics show that most gun deaths result from suicides, not homicides. And that guns are our nation's #1 murder and suicide tool. Yet firearms are virtually unique in that they are exempt from federal health and safety regulation. The VPC works in coalition with consumer protection, youth, domestic violence prevention, civil rights, faith, and public health groups to shape public policy and build the broadest possible base of support for gun violence prevention. VPC Policy Successes - Investigating, de-funding, and keeping de-funded a multi-million dollar federal program that rearmed thousands of convicted, often violent, felons at taxpayer expense
- Reducing the number of federally licensed gun dealers from 250,000 in 1992 to less than 55,000 today
- Leading the coalition that passed the Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban, which bars individuals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes from possessing firearms
- Exposing gun industry marketing efforts to children
- Stopping the passage of lax concealed weapons laws
- Aiding domestic violence organizations each year through research and press during Domestic Violence Awareness Month
- Engaging and aiding organizations and advocates by supplying unique expertise and working to heighten awareness of local gun violence issues
- Focusing press attention on little-reported aspects of gun violence, such youth suicide and murder-suicide
Current VPC Activities Banning 50 Caliber Sniper Rifles—Weapons Purchased by Al Qaeda in the US
Working with California advocates last year, the VPC passed a statewide ban on 50 caliber sniper rifles, military-bred rifles accurate to more than a mile which can penetrate armor plating and destroy aircraft. These guns are easier to purchase than a standard handgun under federal law. Using its 50 caliber research, spotlighted on 60 Minutes and Dateline, the VPC is now working to build on its California success in other states and at the federal level.  Stopping Gun Industry Marketing to Children
As gun ownership in America ebbs, gunmakers have targeted a new market: children, often as young as four or five years old. As the fear of losing customers increases, the gun industry and the National Rifle Association (NRA) have targeted children as vital to both gun sales and pro-gun activism, hoping to replenish the vocal minority of gun owners who have stopped the passage of effective gun laws in the U.S. The VPC has been the leader in exposing the gun lobby's "children's campaign" and making parents, educators, and other responsible adults aware of this insidious marketing effort. Revealing the Role of Guns in Domestic Violence
When Men Murder Women—an annual study by the VPC of female homicide in America and the role played by firearms—ranks each state by the number of such homicides and is used nationwide by domestic violence prevention advocates. South Carolina advocates used their state's 6th place ranking in a state-wide public service advertising campaign featuring South Carolina's preeminent college football coaches. David vs. Goliath 
The work of the Violence Policy Center is critical to the health and safety of all of us who believe in protecting our communities, our families, and ourselves from gun violence. The VPC is one of the only organizations in this country battling day in and day out the gun lobby and the gun industry it protects: moneyed, powerful forces willing to accept virtually any level of death and injury as a fair price for the unfettered sale of their deadly products. We must join in this effort to stand up to these merchants of death who push their dangerous agenda forward, regardless of the pain and suffering they cause. What You Can Do Help support the VPC and experience the world's greatest musicians—The Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney—by purchasing tickets for their concerts from the VPC at 310-247-8227. The Rolling Stones will be appearing at the Hollywood Bowl on November 6 and 8 and Paul McCartney will be performing at the Staples Center on November 29 and 30. Both concerts are being held in Los Angeles. Join the Violence Policy Center's Action Network to keep updated on gun violence issues HERE. Contact your U.S. Representative HERE and U.S. Senators HERE and tell them that you represent the majority of Americans who support effective gun control and urge them to become a co-sponsor and support legislation sponsored by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Representative Jim Moran (D-VA) to restrict 50-caliber sniper rifles. Donate to the Violence Policy Center >HERE. Progressive Strategies offers a unique consulting approach to nonprofits by creating effective strategies and partnerships. Janet Schulman and Nancy Neuman, principals, have a combined 30 years of management and business development experience in the nonprofit and international business sectors. Janet was the regional CEO of two nationally recognized nonprofits. Nancy was director of development at an award-winning nonprofit after spending 11 years on Wall Street. Their result-oriented expertise enables an organization to distinguish itself and successfully fulfill its mission. Janet and Nancy can be reached at prostrategies.nn@sbcglobal.net.
LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.
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Comments:
Guns, like hammers, or cars, are tools. Tools can be used to build or destroy. The tools themselves ARE NOT THE PROBLEM! We don't ban cars due to the huge daily highway carnage, yet VPC and the anti-gunners continue to demonize guns, instead of making violent individuals the responsible parties!
Let's stop being politically correct and firearms ignorant! If every American citizen learned to safely load, lock, and roll- crime would be down, and society would be safer! This has been proven in every country (UK, Australia, Washington DC!) where law abiding citizens are totally banned from owning weapons- gun crime goes OUT OF CONTROL WHEN ONLY CRIMINALS HAVE GUNS!
Remember- 'An armed society is a polite society'- as proven in all the Right To Carry States where gun crimes are lowest! Thanks to you, I'll be doubling my contribution to the NRA!
Yes, please remove weapons from the hands of police and our domestically deployed military as well.
This is so compelling. Is there a reason behind you posting this article? What a great group!
Didn't know about these guys. This is where my Christmas donation is going!!!
very persuasive article. thanks for living up to your civic duty.
Was very interested to learn about the Violence Policy Center. The article was most informative.
I find this article very informative. I would like to see more articles like this on this site. I have a daughter and this definitely draws close to my heart regarding her safety.
I think its great that you guy put out this information. For people to be aware that guns dont kill people, people kill people with guns! Thank you for all the updates and keep up the good work!
Meinecke
Los Angeles, Ca
The NRA is the real culprit. Guns don't kill people, right, the NRA does!!
Thank you for your work with this. Gun violence is a malignancy in our society and I support you so much in your efforts to attenuate/eradicate it. Power to the people! I will contact my representatives.
Alicia Gifford
I'm glad that Rhino has decided to include the Violence Policy Center as part of its web site. It's a cause I believe in and will follow the Center on this web site. Thank you.
i think anything you do to get this message out is fabulouso. )
I am in total agreement. What an excellent article!!!
I am a responsible gun owner who goes to great lengths to keep my gun locked up and out of anyone's reach when I'm not alone. I bought my gun legally and support legislation that would hold gun manufacturers and dealers to a higher standard, but as a single woman who is well-trained and educated in gun use and ownership, I do not wish to relinquish my right to own a gun. Education and training are key, as well as more forceful legislation of screen and television violence, which promotes the deadly use of guns.
Yes, violence against all humans and animals must stop now!
Fire arms are a home and family protection tool. Legal fire arms save lives. At a law school in Virgina a teacher was atact and so were students, a man with a not leagle fire are. He was forced to leave by two students with leagle fire arms. I did not see that on the news. Why? I know why , so do you.
I believe I heard a story on NPR regarding gun violence broken down by country. Without surprise, the U.S. was the leading country, by a wide margin, of gun related deaths. I am certainly not suggesting banning gun ownership by U.S. citizens, but there has to be stricter laws around who can own a gun in this country. This is not an easy issue to tackle. How do you keep guns out of the hands of criminals and in the hands of honest Americans who use guns responsibly?
It's always nice to read these kinds of articles highlighting one of many important topics that keep responsible American citizens calling for better laws to protect those citizens who follow the rules and laws of society. Keep up the great articles, I like it!
I think this is great, it's so important to reach out to the younger minds on this subject. Thank you for publishing this article and bringing the work of the VPC to my attention, I've already contacted my representatives and saw the McCartney concert. Bravo! Bonnie Freeman, Santa Barbara, CA 93111
Has anybody read the second amendment lately?
I am not a gun inthusist but if I st5uffed a teddy bear down your mouth would you sue me or the teddy bear company for chocking on it. If I hit you with my car who is at fault if I chose to do it. Gun crime or any other should be punished, that is my point. Why are the allowed to live next to me afterward?
Sadly, I don't think hand guns will be purged from our society - responsible use [target shooting], storage, maintenance, may be as far as we can get on this issue in this country in this epoch.
Chock full of misinformation and intellectual fraud. Check any of the supposed VPC "facts" and you'll see why the NRA grew from 2.5 million members to over 4.3 million - and they are all voters - not a "lobby". That's why 31 states now have concealed carry laws and the VPC and other gun haters have been losing ground - they just don't get it. When law and order disappeared in New Orleans after Katrina - the citizens didn't call the VPC to protect them. Many don't like that reality - but that's what it is. The gun haters also own guns - here's one: The late Carl Rowan, nationally syndicated newspaper columnist, who had advocated strict handgun control, found himself in the center of a gun controversy during the 1980s when he was arrested and charged with using an unregistered weapon to wound a teen-ager who intruded into his backyard. Rowan argued that he had the right to use whatever means necessary to protect himself and his family. The jury deadlocked and the judge hearing the case declared a mistrial.
Guns do kill and domestic violence is increasing in tragic numbers. Keep on it with informing us all!
Sue
Philadelphia
Very sad to see this on Rhino. As a gun owner and person who believes that every American has the right to own I am sorry to see this.
The article of course is standard VPC garbage. Much like when PETA was hiding all of the dead dogs in their dumpsters.
The VPC is really chalk full of misinformation...and they do it knowingly.
By all means, let's pass legislation to make it illegal to own firearms. Maybe we could model the legislation after the multi-billion dollar "zero tolerance war on drugs" program thats been so successful at keeping illegal drugs from entering our borders.
People that need a gun to feel powerful or safe are ignorant and mindless. Thank you for putting this on the site to make people more aware of the VPC.
I think that you have it entirely wrong and haven't taken the time to find out what you are saying. Criminals do not buy guns legally. There are enough laws now if you would enforce them.
banning .50 calibers in the USA what would be the point of that. I am not aware of one being used in a crime in this country. besides they cost around 2000.00 to 10,000.00 dollars what a great form of taxes to give to all the less fortunates out there and help us pay for this war better to kill them over there than here thanks so much George and our fine fighting troop oa the US military. I heard the 50's are working great overthere and killing alot of the bad people from about 1000yrds for our sniping teams HO-AH. Oh and how can i forget it costs about 5.00 each time you pull the trigger. man how I love to shot them though. I think if everyone was to try once and see how much fun it is the subject of making them illeagal would never come up again
I think everyone should own at least 2 thanks VPC for "attempting" to take all the fun out of life. Take a youngster out shooting next time you go to the range. It is alot of fun for the whole family.
I would venture to bet that that the gun that cute little girl is holding isn't fully automatic it is what is called semi-automatic. one bullet each time you pull the trigger. An example of another lie by the VPC a fully automatic would require a Class III federal firearms license. Which is much more regulated than a standard FFL and also opens up your home and business to seach without cause. and quite expensive yet to boot
Ok,let's go ahead and just let the criminals have handguns (Because they will wether you like it or not!)
Guess what folks, it's unfortunatly too late in this country to take firarms away from it's law abiding citizens.
And the police can't be everywhere.
Let's train ourselves children about gun safety, that is the key.
I believe all law-abiding Americans should have the right to own arms. After all, who's gonna protect us from tree-hugging, ass-kissing liberals. ;^)
All firearms should be baned from this world as it is the most cowardlying way to kill some one, if wanting to kill some one, do it in old fashion and honorouble way, with the sword or knife.
Well I think that I have bought the last thing from Rhino. I didn't know that you wanted to discard the constitution. If you hadn't connected the political activism to your business, I could still trade with you. Other than that it seems that this would be a great company. So long. roy
People are boneheads if they think that Josh Sugarmann (VPC) is legit. He has made being anti-gun a career. It's not about the cause, it's about his scam. And he does profit...
Your incredible dogma has inspired me to send a contribution to NRA/ILA. I've been a Life Member for 30 years and have received over 360 issues of the American Rifleman. No issue ever presented photos of children in the context you attribute to the gun lobby...I'll see you at the voting booth, since we certainly won't meet at Rhino.
The overarching issue, seldom recognized, and never understood by seemingly well-intentioned groups like the VPC, is that armed civilians are the principal protection against government tyranny and government sponsored genocide, around the world. VPN points to individual cases of firearm accidents, but never notes that in the 20th century over 100 million people were tortured or killed by their own government. The Founders of our country undrstood this concept, and always supported the individual citizen's right to keep and bear arms for hunting, sporting, or self defense, but was most concerned about the potential for suppression of citizens by the standing army of the central government.
Our forefathers (U.S.A)incorporated in the Constitution 'the right to bear arms' to protect themselves from the politicians.
Gerri
Pennsylvania
wow this is cool, i,m already learning that using something might be very scary to hold.
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