Press Release

August 4, 2019 Ohio:  The Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence sends our sympathy to each victim’s family and friends in Brooklyn, Gilroy, El Paso and Dayton. We send our thoughts and our promise to continue to work to stop this violence to all of them and to each of the injured.

Thirty-Four lives were lost this week in Brooklyn, NY- 1 death, Gilroy, CA – 4 deaths, El Paso, TX – 20 deaths, Dayton, OH – 9 deaths.  Another 74 injured!   Hundreds of survivors, witnesses, police, responders and health professionals that are scarred forever.

Some public officials are saying today is not the day to talk about guns. Today is exactly the day to talk about these victims losing their lives because it is legal to purchase and own these high powered semi-automatic weapons that killed them in minutes. We know these shootings could have been prevented and that we have a public health crisis! We know that there are policies and attitudes that can change! We don’t have to accept this culture of violence. Most importantly we know hate, fear, anger and easy access to a gun is an evil combination!

It is shameful that certain Ohio legislators are still pushing bills to allow permit-less carry, stand your ground and carrying loaded weapons everywhere while reducing penalties and the leader of the US Senate refuses to allow a vote on background checks.

Presidential candidates are calling for action and Ohio Senator Brown is calling for the US Senate to vote on the background check bill immediately. We have seen mobilization after Sandy Hook and Parkland but we have also seen the acceptance of our culture of violence. Toby Hoover founder of OCAGV said “We all own this crisis and there are things we can do to prevent this evil starting by speaking up against racism, hate and violence.”

Governor DeWine said today that there will be time to talk about finding solutions.

“The time for action is now. We have had enough,” said Toby Hoover, founder.

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