Trump Re-elected: Now What?
Gun violence prevention advocates struck a disappointed but hopeful tone Wednesday, following Donald Trump’s strong victory in Tuesday’s presidential election. Trump has promised to roll back all of President Joe Biden’s efforts to curb gun violence.
“The election of Donald Trump is deeply troubling for our safety and freedom from gun violence,” said Brady President Kris Brown. “And that’s why we will be doubling down on our work and fighting harder than ever. As the nation’s oldest gun violence prevention group, this won’t be the first unfriendly administration we have had to weather, but know how to fight like hell, even in the most challenging of times.”
“This week’s election results are tough for our movement,” said a statement on the home page of Everytown for Gun Safety. “But the last time Donald Trump was in office, we doubled our efforts and got critical legislation passed in the states while blocking extreme NRA-backed bills at the federal level. Taking on the incoming Trump administration won’t be easy—but we’ve done it before. Together, we’re channeling our frustration into action.”
Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords said in a statement, “To those anxious about what the future holds, I understand. After being shot in the head and nearly killed, it would have been easy to lose hope—but I never did. Despite all the pain, I held onto my hopes for this country every bit as tightly as I did the hope that I would one day take a walk or talk with my family. I learned that trying times bring out the power of the human spirit.
“I also saw how the support of others – family and strangers alike – can be transformative. So, now is the moment for us to stand together. Link arms with your friends and neighbors who are immigrants, LGBTQ+, survivors of gun violence, Black, Brown, Muslim or Jewish. As my friend and personal hero Congressman John Lewis used to say, we ‘must be bold, brave, and courageous and find a way to get in the way.’ Now is the time for taking a stand—together—against division, against hatred, and against the erosion of truth. And to women everywhere: I won’t rest until every one of our rights and freedoms has been restored.”
Amid the grim news, however, GVP advocates did notch some wins:
- Voters re-elected gun sense champion Lucy McBath, a former Moms Demand Action volunteer and gun violence survivor
- Pamela Goodwine won her Kentucky Supreme Court race
- Josh Stein, won North Carolina’s gubernatorial race
- Jeff Jackson was elected Attorney General of North Carolina
- Matt Meyer won his Delaware gubernatorial race
- Leader Hakeem Jeffries won re-election
- Voters elected gun sense champion Angela Alsobrooks to the U.S. Senate.
- Bob Ferguson won the governor’s race in Washington
- Mayors Against Illegal Guns Co-Chair Brandon Scott won reelection as Baltimore Mayor
Stay in the loop! Colorado Ceasefire and GVPedia, a national gun violence research hub, will host an Election Recap Zoom call to analyze how the election results will shape the fight for gun violence prevention. Join us via Zoom on 11/13 from 5:00 – 6:00 MT to learn how the GVP movement is strategizing for the years ahead. Click HERE to register.
Proposition KK Passes
In other positive election news, Colorado voters officially approved Proposition KK, the landmark measure to provide essential funding for mental health services for veterans, at-risk youth and crime victims through a 6.5% excise tax on firearm and ammunition sales. The measure is expected to raise approximately $39 million annually to address critical gaps in mental health and victim support services across the state.
Colorado Senate Majority Leader Monica Duran (D), a survivor of domestic violence and a sponsor of HB24-1349, which referred the measure to the ballot, celebrated the victory as a pivotal moment for Colorado. “As someone who has experienced firsthand the trauma of violence, I know how vital it is to have support during times of crisis,” Duran said. “With the passage of Proposition KK, Colorado is taking a stand for those who need it most—veterans, young people, and survivors of violence. This funding will provide life-changing resources to help people heal and rebuild their lives just like me.”
State Rep. Meg Froelich (D), who was also a sponsor of HB24-1349, expressed her gratitude to the people of Colorado, “We’re incredibly grateful to the voters of Colorado and our tireless advocates who understood the need for this critical funding. Prop KK delivers resources to save lives, make our communities safer and promote health and healing.”
The funds from Proposition KK will be allocated as follows:
- $30 million for victim services, including emergency shelter, counseling, and legal advocacy;
- $5 million for veterans’ mental health services;
- $3 million for youth behavioral health crisis response;
- $1 million for school safety and gun violence prevention.
Proposition KK’s passage will bring in critical resources to stabilize the network of victim support services across our state; however, programs are still facing 20-40% budget cuts in this next year until the new funding becomes available in 2026.
Colorado Ceasefire assisted in the effort to pass Proposition KK.
Under-21 Gun Sales Ban Revived by Tenth Circuit
Colorado can move ahead with enforcing our law banning gun sales to people younger than 21, the 10th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday.
There are “real harms” that could occur from not enforcing the law, especially given that guns are the leading cause of death in Colorado among people under the age of 21, said Judge Richard Federico of the US Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.
The court’s order reverses a district court’s enjoinment of the law from last August, on the same day the law was supposed to take effect.
The ruling follows the US Supreme Court’s June decision in United States v. Rahimi, in which Chief Justice John Roberts said some courts mistakenly believe that current gun laws must have a “historical twin,” rather than a “historical analogue,” to be considered constitutional and in line with the plain text of the Second Amendment.
Research Compares US Gun Violence Toll with Other Countries’
The Commonwealth Fund released a report last week comparing US firearm mortality with that of other countries. The Fund examined countries whose firearm mortality rates are comparable to U.S. rates, comparing 1) across all countries and territories around the world; 2) across a subset of countries with a similar firearm mortality rate; and 3) across high-income countries only. The report also shows how firearm deaths in US states compare to other countries.
Some findings:
Black and American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) people have the highest firearm mortality rates of any racial or ethnic group.
Globally, the U.S. ranks at the 93rd percentile for overall firearm mortality, 92nd percentile for children and teens, and 96th percentile for women.
The US has among the highest overall firearm mortality rates, as well as among the highest firearm mortality rates for children, adolescents, and women, both globally and among high-income countries.
Nearly all US states have a higher firearm mortality rate than most other countries. Death rates due to physical violence by firearm in US states are closer to rates seen in countries experiencing active conflict.
Please Remember Ceasefire on Colorado Gives Day, December 10
As you read above, gun violence prevention organizations across the country are acknowledging yesterday’s loss while keeping our eyes on the road ahead. Colorado is already a national GVP leader, but there is more work to be done to keep Coloradans safe where they live, work and play. We aren’t about to give up.
Dec. 10th is Colorado Gives Day, traditionally the biggest funding day of Ceasefire’s year. We hope you’ll consider channeling some of your disappointment into hope and resolve—and stand with us as we keep fighting the gun lobby, working for common-sense gun-law reforms, and educating the public about how they can keep their families and communities safe from gun violence.
Through December 10, every donation you make will be boosted with a $1M+ Incentive Fund, made possible by Colorado Gives Foundation and FirstBank. Each nonprofit will receive a share of the fund based on their percentage of the total raised. Plus, if you set up a new monthly donation, Colorado Gives Foundation will match your first monthly donation up to $100 and up to $250,000 in total across all organizations! This is a fantastic opportunity to double your impact.
Please help us keep up the fight today!
Like this Newsletter? Want to pass it on?
We hope you find this newsletter valuable. If you are interested in the news you see here and want to get involved, please consider volunteering!
And feel free to subscribe and pass this news along to anyone else you think may be interested, either as a link or by cutting and pasting into your own newsletter (if forwarding, please take out the ‘unsubscribe’ message at the bottom first!)–this is how the movement grows. And remember, when we fight, we win!
