Mission Statement

Grandmothers Against Gun Violence is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots organization focusing on gun violence prevention and firearm safety. Our mission is to educate our members, collaborate with other groups who share our concerns, and advocate for public policy and legislation leading to reduced gun violence in all our communities.

We respect the Second Amendment, realizing that gun ownership comes with individual and societal responsibilities. Although the majority of gun owners are responsible, gun violence has become a major public health and safety issue in the United States that needs our attention.

Goals

• To educate the public on the many facets of gun violence
• To promote gun safety reducing suicides by gun and "unintentional" deaths
• To pass a comprehensive national background check bill
• To pass an inclusive assault weapons and accessory bill
• To support Extreme Risk Protection orders whether Federal or State
• To pass legislation limiting clip and magazine sizes
• To pass legislation increasing waiting periods for gun purchases
• To support funding for research into the many causes of gun violence
• To ensure the enforcement of existing gun laws
• To support and encourage mental health literacy

Activities Supporting Mission Statement

• Hold monthly educational meetings focused on gun related issues
• Hold monthly outdoor rallies to maintain awareness of issue
• Hold vigils on important landmark dates to remember victims and survivors
• Lobby for ongoing gun legislation at the State House
• Meet with public officials regarding gun legislation
• Speak in the community on gun violence issues
• Support national efforts in legislation and awareness
• Interface with groups who share our concerns nationally and locally
• Exhibit at local events partnering with community resources to educate and advocate for gun safety and common sense gun laws

Founder

Board of Directors

ACTIVITIES

Activities in September/October – Police, Rally, Honors,
Speaking Engagements, Gun Owners for Safety

September/October 2024:

Just recently we met with Police Chief Jeff Lourie and signed the Falmouth Police Department on as our 14th police department on the Cape to use our “You Can Save a Life” pamphlets as a handout with their firearms permitting process. Having this pamphlet at the first point of contact in the firearms process is vital to the understanding of the inherent dangers of an unsecured firearm and the overall responsibility associated with a firearm.

Our founder, Linda Alhart, was honored by the Cape Women’s Association in their 6 over 60 award honoring women who have made an outstanding difference in their later lives. And that she did. Founding Grandmothers Against Gun Violence directly after the Sandy Hook Massacre, she set the foundation for it to endure and go forward as a leader in gun violence prevention on the Cape.

We also spoke at the Dennis Public Library on the history of Grandmothers and the progression of the gun violence prevention movement. Linda Alhart spoke of the early days and past president Pat Hatch spoke of the challenges in her presidency. Following was Donna Wald, current president with a conclusion of where we are today in the gun violence prevention movement. The talk was followed by a solid discussion on gun safety and what roles our schools may play.

And we held two GET OUT THE VOTE and GUN LAW SAFETY rallies in September and October, well attended by our group and our many allies on the Cape who believe in democracy and safer spaces for all of us.

We were also honored to have Shani Henry of the Giffords Gun Owners for Safety group join us for an informative Zoom presentation on their gun owners’ group. There are many gun safety initiatives we share with gun owners, and they are using many of the same tactics we do to increase awareness on gun safety. They also stand for many of the same gun safety legislation measures we do and are actively increasing their chapters across the country.

Grandmothers was invited to speak at the First Parish Plymouth Unitarian Universalist gathering. We took part in a very peaceful and inspiring service which was so refreshing in these times. We spoke on the progression of the gun violence prevention movement and why there is so much hope for less gun violence if we all continue our current course of action of educating, collaborating, and advocating for common ground gun legislation.

We spoke at the Yarmouth Senior Center in mid-October about the bright future in gun violence prevention and how far the issue has come. We spoke with a young mother who was really concerned for her younger children in school, and we tried to stress that it is never too early to try to speak to children about guns, where they might encounter them, and what they should do. We also provided some helpful tips on how to talk to your children’s playmates’ parents regarding the presence of guns.

On Sunday, October 27, we spoke at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Yarmouth regarding our new gun law and the progress made in this administration on federal gun laws. There was some interest about red flag laws, data collection, and arming our teachers in the schools (which no one was in favor of). Very nice to see a community so knowledgeable and engaged on the subject.

Grandmothers Participates in Yarmouth Police Day Out

September 7, 2024:

Grandmothers had a great time at the Yarmouth Police Day Out. There were K9 demonstrations with SWAT teams, a dunk tank, rides around the grounds, and some fine summer food. We met so many nice people and groups that do meaningful work. We gave away gun locks and had a few good conversations with young, high school age kids about guns. We also had an opportunity to talk to young parents about kids going back to school and the importance of knowing if their kids play at friends’ houses where there are guns. We were encouraged to learn that some parents are talking to their kids about guns. Our Representatives Chris Flannagan and Kip Diggs were there to add to the fun. Thanks to the Yarmouth Police Department for inviting us. Looking forward to next year.

Free Gun Lock Giveaways – Eastham and Dennis Police
Rallying Onward as Always

June 2024:

Dennis and Eastham Police Departments participated with us in our yearly Free Gun Lock Giveaway, which is part of our “You Can Save a Life” gun safe storage campaign. Every year we lose thousands of lives because people do not store their firearms properly. We have a safe storage law in MA.

And here’s to the rally crew. We usually have 20 – 30 people who come to stand to show people that gun violence is the number one killer of youth in our country. Nine months out of the year we are there to carry that message. Thank you.

Activities in May – Police, Senator Susan Moran,
Safer Illinois Visits, Suicide Awareness Walk

May 2024:

In May, we were proud to add the Provincetown Police Department to the police departments on the Cape who use our gun safety brochure “You Can Save a Life Now!” This brings the number of participating police departments on the Cape to eleven.

Grandmothers hosted Senator Susan Moran as a speaker in May. She spoke on our Gun Safety Bill and its progress through the Senate. It became quite obvious that the Senate followed a strict procedure of information and cooperation to be sure all stakeholders were included and informed on their bill. We are hoping for a July surprise when Massachusetts passes one of the strongest gun bills in the nation.

Our president, Donna Wald, had the honor of visiting with Sara Knizhnik and her family last weekend on the Cape. Sara is a long-time activist in gun violence prevention, having founded first Mom’s Demand Action Group in Northern IL. Sara was the organizer of the IL Gun Violence Prevention Coalition (2017-2019) and the Director of Community Engagement for Newtown Action Alliance (2020-2022). She is presently the Chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Initiative in the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office and is also the Co-Founder and CEO of Safer Illinois.

Grandmothers participated in a rainy Suicide Awareness Walk in Hyannis by exhibiting at the event. We distributed gun locks and gun safety literature.

Suicide by gun accounts for over 50% of the gun violence statistics in America, clearly pointing to the fact that we need to do better with safe gun storage and our mental health programs. Thanks to everyone who showed up regardless of the weather.

Grandmothers at the State House, First Rally of the Year,
and Plymouth Community Health and Safety Fair

April 2024:

Also in April, our first rally of the year was a great success with at least twenty people who then gathered at The Knack in Hyannis for lunch and a fun get-together to catch up and get to know our new members.

We also attended the Plymouth Community Health and Safety Fair, where we exhibited along with many other groups to promote safety. Our exhibit consisted of all our firearms safety literature, free gun locks, our promotional literature, and of course, chocolate chip cookies. We gave away over forty gun locks and had good opportunities to speak with young families about firearm safety.

Cape Cod International Women's Day Celebration

March 8, 2024:

On Friday, March 8, Grandmothers attended the International Women’s Day Breakfast given by various associations on the Cape. The room was filled with women of all ages (especially young), diverse ethnic backgrounds and very diverse life experiences. Most of our legislators and prospective candidates were there.

The program centered around the equality of women, and it opened with the statistic that it will take until the year 2095 for women to achieve full equality in the United States. Many young women of color presented their stories as well as seasoned older women in positions of leadership on the Cape. It was an incredibly powerful event.

The striking chord in the event was the lesson to the young ones that the older women in the room bring. That lesson is: When women work together to lift each other up in a cause, the joy and productivity that comes from that honest endeavor brings empowerment and efficiency to our causes. It is the lesson that as we climb the ladder as women, we reach down and bring someone with us.

It was obvious from the stories of the women in the room, young and old, that they understand that power and have used it to start to shape their lives into what they want them to be.

Orleans, Barnstable, and Falmouth Police Departments Re-up for our gun safety campaign,
“You Can Save a Life Now!”

February 21, 2024:

Grandmothers Against Gun Violence thanks the Orleans, Barnstable, and Falmouth Police Departments for their continued support of our gun safety program. They join nine other police departments on the Cape who have committed to hand out the safety brochure with firearms licensing materials. In one year we are distributing over 2600 brochures to the police stations, from January to midsummer.

Sandwich, Yarmouth, Brewster, and Mashpee Police Departments
on Board with our Gun Safety Program

February 8, 2024:

Grandmothers Against Gun Violence was out again delivering our “You Can Save a Life Now!” brochures to our Cape police. For two years in a row, we have had all the police departments on the Cape participating to hand out our brochures with firearm licensing materials. The message of the campaign is one of gun safety and the inherent risks and responsibilities of owning a firearm. Each year we distribute almost two thousand of these brochures among the police departments and events.

A Good Day on Beacon Hill for Gun Violence Prevention Advocates

February 1, 2024:

Grandmothers Against Gun Violence, Moms Demand Action, MA Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, Stop Handgun Violence, and others joined on the Hill to show support for the Senate bill on firearms reform. The bill passed late into the night, 37 to 3, moving it forward to a conference committee to merge with the House bill, hopefully to bring the bill to a vote before the end of session in July.

It was really refreshing to see how many people work every day for the prevention of gun violence and to see many years of advocacy return such impressive results. This bill will strengthen our Assault Weapons Ban, ban Ghost Guns, expand petitioners for our Red Flag Law, allow Crime Data Analysis, secure some public spaces from carry, and facilitate the operations of community intervention programs.

More Police Departments Lend Their Support to Grandmothers’
“You Can Save a Life Now!” Campaign

January 2024:

Grandmothers just finished meeting with the Dennis, Truro, and Wellfleet police departments to continue our partnerships with them in the distribution of our gun safe storage pamphlets.

The campaign focuses on gun safety and is specifically directed to the new gun owners who may not be familiar with the risks and responsibilities associated with firearm ownership. It also has a good message for those who do not own a gun about conversations you can have with folks who do and things to watch out for in your own home.

We will continue this month to renew materials and sign up the rest of the departments on the Cape.

Grandmothers Starts Making the Rounds with our Gun Safety Campaign,
“You Can Save a Life Now!”

January 2024:

Grandmothers is meeting all this month and next with police departments to partner with them on our “You Can Save a Life Now!” campaign. Our thanks to Chief Bohannon and Chief Anderson for meeting with us and partnering on the campaign.

The campaign focuses on gun safety and is specifically directed to the new gun owners, who may not be familiar with the risks and responsibilities associated with firearm ownership. It also has a good message for those who do not own a gun about conversations you can have with folks who do, and things to watch out for in your own home.

Last year we partnered with almost all the departments on the Cape and held gun lock giveaways with the Yarmouth and Orleans Police Departments.

Grandmothers “We Remember” Rally Honors Gun Violence Victims

On the same evening we remembered the Sandy Hook victims, as we do every year, we remembered the victims of the numerous shootings across this country. They all fuel our anger and power our work to reduce gun violence. We hold them and their families in our hearts as we continue to educate people on gun violence and encourage them to advocate for better gun laws. A big thank you to everyone who showed up.

Grandmothers Speaks with the Osterville/Mashpee Rotary Club
and the Plymouth Board of Health

We were invited by Rev Beth Grundy, the president of the Rotary, and Reverend of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Osterville, to speak to the Rotary Club on October 26th. We had a very interesting conversation about gun safety, legislation, and the recent tragedy in Maine. We thank them for inviting us to be part of their morning meeting.

On November 8, we were invited to speak to the Plymouth Board of Health by its Chair, Barry Potvin. We had a lengthy discussion about the role gun safe storage plays in the gun violence epidemic. We discussed some of the outcomes of unsafe storage, such as unintentional shootings, suicides, domestic abuse, school shootings, and gun thefts that contribute to increased criminal activity.

We welcome all inquiries to become engaged with our communities, as we always learn from these encounters.

Grandmothers - Busy September

September was a busy month.

September 10 - Grandmothers attended a Giffords informational event in CA. We heard about all the legislation that Gifford’s supports, including our own in MA currently, and their plans for the future. They encouraged everyone to have these types of gatherings to recruit people to the cause.

September 13 – A double header for Grandmothers. Joanne Difrancesco led our group up to the State House to advocate for HD4420 and we were joined by two of Joanne’s friends and two folks from the League of Women Voters who are also our members. They spoke with legislators about the current House Bill HD4420 as a bill is also being written in the Senate.

We also held a Grandmothers meeting in Falmouth on the same day to encourage more membership there. We saw a few new faces and had a few signups.

September 14 – We held our monthly rally to promote HD4420, A Firearms Modernization Act. Currently the Senate is writing their own bill and we are hoping to pass a strong Firearms Bill this year. Call your legislators and tell them you want to see a strong, comprehensive firearms bill passed this year.

September 17 – We joined many other community organizations at the Cape Cinema for a screening of Join or Die, which is a documentary about community organizations and the role they play in our lives and democracy. Joining community groups and causes was at an all-time high in the sixties and seventies and has been on the decline ever since. With the onslaught of “individualism” and media, we have seen more people become isolated and depressed. Joining a group can extend your life, boost your social connections, and help bolster democratic societies.

Grandmothers Holds Two Gun Lock Giveaways

Grandmothers spent a pleasant Saturday afternoon at both the Yarmouth and the Orleans Police Departments giving away free gun locks.

The Free Gun Lock Giveaway Program is part of the You Can Save a Life Program which Grandmothers instituted two years ago as a cornerstone of our group’s focus on safety.

Each year many deaths result from an unsecured weapon. Unintentional deaths of children, impulsive suicides, and domestic abuse deaths, as well as school shootings, have occurred because of an unsecured firearm in one’s home or in the home of a relative.

Grandmothers Joins Others at the Federated Church of Orleans
for a Conversation on Gun Violence

On Sunday, August 6, Grandmothers Against Gun Violence Cape Cod, Sharing Kindness, and the Orleans Police Department gathered at the Federated Church of Orleans to discuss suicide, legislation, and law enforcement and their interconnections with the gun violence public health epidemic we are experiencing.

Sponsored by the Interfaith Justice Committee of the Federated Church of Orleans and Am HaYam Fellowship, the event drew sixty in-person attendees and over forty on the livestream portion. The speakers were Kimberly Mead Walters from Sharing Kindness, Chief Scott MacDonald from the Orleans Police Department, and Donna Wald from Grandmothers. Our moderator was Kathleen Shine-O’Brien.

We thank everyone who attended, the other speakers and the moderator for an informative event resulting in many questions and increased awareness for the cause.

Grandmothers Meeting – Gun Lock Campaign

Many thanks to everyone who showed up to help us assemble our Gun Lock Giveaway Campaign, to be held on August 12 at both the Yarmouth and the Orleans Police stations from 11:00 to 2:00.

Unintentional deaths caused by the lack of a properly secured firearm account for thousands of deaths a year. Children, people in crisis, and domestic abuse households are particularly vulnerable. Deaths also result from stolen firearms and in mass shootings, where it is often the case that the firearm used was one found at home or one that belonged to a relative.

Our campaign includes a cable lock, instructions on how to use it, and a full brochure on the hazards of unsecured guns in any location.

Grandmothers Holds Annual Bake Sale - Wear Orange Weekend

On June 3, in honor of Gun Violence Awareness Weekend, we held our annual bake sale. The weather was horrendous, but we had tables of food from our members and their friends (who contributed food even though they were not Grandmothers members).

The North Side Band volunteered their time and made the gloom so much better. We had a chance to have meaningful conversations on gun violence and the event was a tremendous success regardless of the elements.

Our thanks to those who always show up, volunteer, make food, and do set up and execution. We always do what we say we are going to do, and that is stand up, show up, and speak up, because we believe that the gun violence epidemic will have a breaking point, and we are here to make that happen.

Grandmothers Hears From the Alzheimer’s Family Support Center

Grandmothers had the pleasure of hearing from Molly Purdue, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Family Support Center.

It was an informative presentation both on the issue itself and on the support services offered. We learned there are preventative measures such as diet, exercise, and social activity that can reduce the timeline of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Everyone should take advantage of the expansive services the Center offers, both for people with the issue and for their caregivers. They have convenient locations all over the Cape.

Our thanks for an excellent program.

Plymouth Health Fair – A Great Success

Grandmothers participated again in the Plymouth North High School Health and Safety Fair. Pictured above are young women from the Yellow Tulip, a youth group who bring awareness to destroying the stigma of suicide. They founded the group because they had schoolmates who died from suicide. They plant yellow tulips around Plymouth and paint yellow rocks to leave along Plymouth trails, to remind people of suicide issues. They also do activities with their peers where they can sit and talk about what their feelings are.

Many thanks to Karen DeRusha, Jane Buckley and Linda Loring, who showed up to help with the event. There were a lot of good conversations about gun violence. We handed out some gun locks and many safety brochures. We also handed out over eight dozen cookies.

Grandmothers Co-founds Grandparents Uniting for Gun Safety (501c4) Advocacy Group

On April 24, Grandmothers and Grandparents for Gun Safety KS/MO jointly announced that they were co-founders of Grandparents Uniting for Gun Safety, a national advocacy group. While our group, Grandmothers Against Gun Violence, remains exactly the same, the new organization is national, giving people a chance to be educated on gun violence prevention and to learn to advocate with action alerts and other tools.

We encourage everyone to sign on (no membership fee) and to take advantage of national opportunities to advocate. You can find the new organization at https://grandparentsunitingforgunsafety.org

Grandmothers Very Busy in April

April saw Grandmothers very busy with many events.

We spoke at the First Parish in Brewster on our “You Can Save a Life” Campaign and the legislative initiatives on both a state and federal level. We had a stimulating question and answer period centering around ghost guns and the AR weapon and its place in society. Thank you so much to the First Parish Brewster for the invitation.

We also spoke at the Yarmouth Senior Center on our campaign and legislation. Once again, we heard the frustration and anger that we have not been able to come to meaningful comprehensive legislation to solve our gun violence problem. It was a good group with thoughtful questions.

And our April meeting was so inspiring, Carla Koehl and Sharon Palmer from the Cape Cod Foster Closet spoke to us about the work they do with foster families. They provide clothing, necessities and activities for foster families to get to know each other and socialize. Sharon Palmer has fostered many children and that experience led her to found the organization. Thank you to them for such a meaningful meeting.

You can find them at https://capecodfostercloset.org

Grandmothers Attends MOMS DEMAND ACTION Advocacy Day at the MA Congress

Grandmothers attended the Moms Demand Action Advocacy Day, where we heard from many survivors and community groups who work in the gun violence prevention space. After the presentation we were directed to meet with our legislators regarding the various bills focused on gun safety, gun violence prevention, and data analysis, as well as bills strengthening the safety net in our communities focusing on community violence intervention.

Grandmothers Attends Emerson College / March for our Lives Rally in Boston

On a cold Boston Common, we joined Emerson students and others for an inspiring look at the American spirit of our youth. Emerson student activists were the key initiators and lead organizers of the event! The core team included CJ Hoekegan, Emerson student and Sandy Hook school survivor; Alex Slack, Emerson student; Rachel Jacoby, MFOL organizer from Highland Park; Jaylin Gemmel, MFOL Boston organizer; and Sonya Coleman of Stop Handgun Violence.

It was one powerful hour, as we heard from David Hogg, Parkland survivor, Rachel Jacoby MFOL, Sandy Hook survivors, MA Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, Sonya Coleman of Stop Handgun Violence, an MGH Pediatric Surgeon, the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, Emerson students and others.

PAARI (Police Assisted Addiction Recovery Initiative) speaks to Grandmothers

Grandmothers was proud to be the host of an informative session on the police departments’ creative responses to opioid action through various PAARI initiatives, led by Travis Raza of PAARI. It was an enlightening presentation of how police are taking a front-line stand to reduce opioid addiction. The Police Assisted Addiction & Recovery Initiative (PAARI) provides training, strategic guidance, support, and resources to help law enforcement agencies nationwide create non-arrest pathways to treatment and recovery.

Now a national network of nearly 600 police departments in 34 states, PAARI primarily supports non-arrest, or early diversion, program models that reach people before they enter the criminal justice system. Programs are customized based on the community and can utilize multiple law enforcement entry points to treatment, including self-referrals to the station and risk or incident-based outreach. Cross-sector collaboration and partnerships are vital to these programs and they are often supported by clinicians, social workers, recovery coaches, and/or trained volunteers.

Grandmothers Attends MA House Listening Tour
Intersection of Gun Violence and Suicide

Grandmothers attended the MA House Listening Tour on the Intersection of Guns and Suicide.

First of all, it is refreshing to talk about suicide in the open, because when we acknowledge the issue, we can bring everyone into the conversation. A few takeaways were that our ERPO (red flag laws) have not been marketed properly and the House will look into that. Secondly, although suicides by gun are not the leading cause of suicide in MA, most people there agreed that even the loss of one life is a tragedy and that we have continuing work to do in safe storage of firearms.

Everyone agreed that our mental health system in MA is almost non-existent leaving the best of practitioners with no place to send their patients for a continued care recovery that can lead to breaking the cycle of some mental health issues.

Thanks to Representative Michael Day, who chaired the session. Representatives from the Cape and Islands included Chris Flanagan, Steven Xiarhos, Dylan Fernandes, Kip Diggs, Sara Peake, and David Viera. County Sheriff Buckley and DA Galibois also attended. Panelists were Donna Dolan(NAN), Karen Ellery Jones (Samaritans), Chief Matthew Sonnabend (Barnstable Police Department), and Kelly Cunningham (DPH).

Vigil of Remembrance and Hope / Rally

On December 14 we held our Sandy Hook Remembrance Rally in the bitter cold with amazing winds. Although some had to leave early, you can see the remaining few above.

Later that evening, we had our Vigil of Remembrance and Hope at the First Baptist Church in Hyannis. We honored all victims of gun violence and the Sandy Hook children and teachers. There were individual readings for Kianna Barrows, Sargent Sean Gannon, Alison Parker, Christina Taylor-Greene, Delois Brown, and Ana Grace-Marquez-Greene as well.

All our readings highlighted the good that has come out of these tragedies in philanthropic work, gun violence prevention groups and activism, and programs specifically for children.

From these tragedies comes hope and action and the radical insistence that we can and will change the escalating trend of gun violence in this country.

Thank you to all the family, friends, legislators, and law enforcement who attended this event and to everyone who worked so hard to make it possible.

Grandmothers Speaks at Unitarian Fellowship in Church of the Pines

Grandmothers was invited to speak at the Church of the Pines in Eastham, and we were delighted to do so. We spoke about our campaign and predictable, preventable gun tragedies that happen due to unsafe storage of firearms.

We also discussed current national legislation that we have tried to help move forward during the year, on safe storage laws and a national assault weapons ban. We discussed many of the common fallacies and arguments used to defer gun regulation.

Grandmothers Participates in Alternative Gift Market at St. Barnabas in Falmouth

Grandmothers was pleased to be invited to the Alternative Gift Market Event at St. Barnabas in Falmouth this weekend. This was an impressive event where you could donate to charities and worldwide charitable causes and give it as a gift if you wanted. The variety of causes represented was comprehensive and the gifts were delicious and beautiful.

Yarmouth Police Department Community Crisis Intervention Team
Speaks at Grandmothers Meeting

The CCIT team led by Deputy Chief O’Malley is an inspiring example of police departments working with clinicians to end the spiral of mental health issues and substance abuse. With a dual co-model of outreach and co-response to crisis situations, they hope to reduce the number of emergency calls as well as to get people the services they need when they are in crisis to effectively eliminate or control the issues they are having. We are proud to be in a community that recognizes the need of those in crisis situations and is proactive in seeking solutions.

We also thanked Pat Hatch, an original member of Grandmothers and past president, as she steps down from the Board of Grandmothers. All her outstanding work and insight over the years has resulted in the position Grandmothers holds today in the gun violence prevention space in this community and beyond.

League of Women Voters Speaks to Grandmothers
Postcard Writing to Senators on Assault Weapons Ban

Carole Young-Kleinfeld spoke to our group on the role of the League of Women Voters and their programs. Carole is the Co-Chair of the LWV Cape Cod Area's Legislative Committee, which helps to keep League members updated on pending legislation and ways to advocate for passage of bills that are priorities for the League. Carole is also a member of the Voter Service Committee, which holds voter registration drives and provides information to the public about elections and voting in Massachusetts.

Carole was a member of the League in Connecticut for about 20 years before moving to the Cape. She has a master’s degree in Social Work and is a former election official.

The LWV is a 100-year-old organization whose purpose is to increase an understanding of policy issues and to educate the public on issues such as voting rights, health care, reproductive rights, immigration, gun legislation, and environmental concerns. The League is non-partisan but is political and does take positions on the issues it chooses to support. However, it does not endorse individual candidates. It is a grass roots organization which will bring an issue first to the state LWV and eventually to the national league for possible legislative action.

Major work of the LWV includes registering voters, providing voter information, and advocating for voting rights. They also have interesting committees and activities that help to keep us all informed on issues we may not have time to keep up with in our daily lives. They are very active in promoting access to all candidates so we can make smarter choices and they are champions of the issues they choose to support. You can join and just check it out until you see where you might fit. A local membership also gives you a state membership.

Click here to find the Cape Cod League of Women Voters.

LWV will be joining us at our "Get Out the Vote" Rally on November 4 at the Hyannis Rotary.

We also wrote postcards to our US Senators to support the Assault Weapons Ban, which we hope will come to the floor after the midterms.

Grandmothers Speaks to Bay State Community Services/Plymouth Family Resource Center

Karen DeRusha and Donna Wald spoke to the Bay State Community Services group on gun safety and gun violence prevention highlighting our ten-year commitment as well as our emphasis on education as well as our advocacy on the local, state, and federal level for common sense gun legislation.

We were very impressed by their staff, their breadth of programs, and their mission, which is

to be a leader in providing services that promote the emotional and social well-being of the people and communities we serve. We are dedicated to improving the social functioning of adults, adolescents, and children within a framework that recognizes the primary importance of family and community. To this end, the agency’s mission is to foster individual, family, and community empowerment through a culturally competent continuum of social, behavioral health, substance use recovery, prevention, and rehabilitative justice programs.

The agency will further its mission by partnering in a strength-based culture of recovery that affirms the principles of self-determination and individual dignity while fostering the mutual aid inherent in belonging, in relationships, and in collective action for the collective good.

As all of us in the gun violence prevention space know, much of the gun violence we see results from people not having the proper resources they need to build strong families and communities. We applaud the people that do this work because all this violence has a beginning that did not have to be.

You can find out more about them at https://www.baystatecs.org/who-we-are/

Past President, Pat Hatch, Presents at Barnstable Adult Community Center

Pat Hatch, past president of Grandmothers Against Gun Violence, opened the session at the Barnstable Adult Community Center with an explanation of how the tragedy at Sandy Hook served as a catalyst for the organization’s beginnings, from the first meeting at the house of founder Linda Alhart through subsequent years of growth and activism to our present standing with 80 paid members and monthly meetings at the synagogue in Hyannis.

She went on to describe Grandmothers’ activities in their mission to create safe communities in which children may grow and thrive and adults may shop, recreate and pray in safety. In addition to monthly educational meetings, Grandmothers advocates for sensible gun legislation by visiting the State House, writing and phoning legislators and gathering for a monthly gun-safety rally at the airport rotary in Hyannis. She presented the ”Lock It Up” campaign as well as the expanded “You Can Save A Life Now” campaign.

Pat then presented a short explanation of different gun bills, both state and federal. In closing she listed ways to help our cause by joining our group, rallying at the rotary, writing letters and making calls to legislators, voting for gun sense candidates, and making a donation to our organization.

A roundtable question and answer period centered around the topics of suicide as well as finding common ground with gun rights groups around safety.

Moms Demand Action Joins Grandmothers for September Meeting – “Love Demands Action”

Grandmothers had the pleasure of hosting Kathleen Berry, State Public Education Lead for MA for Moms Demand Action. Kathleen has been a passionate advocate and volunteer for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America since 2015 and previously formed and led the MA South Shore Local Group, which covered forty cities and towns in southeastern MA. She led the group recruiting new members, developing new leaders, and building networks with other organizations.

Kathleen reiterated the importance of solidarity among our movements. We all have the passion and “Love Demands Action.” She pointed out that if you look at the landscape of the movement ten years ago when we all began, you can clearly see how we all have increased our numbers locally and nationally to build alliances which are truly demanding and driving the strategies we need to create a new culture surrounding the gun violence issue.

Moms Demand Action is part of Everytown, and she spoke to Everytown only pursuing strategies they can win with the attitude that “we are going to get there.”

Kathleen spoke about their legislative presence both on a national and local scale and their priorities to pass national backgrounds checks, support of red flag laws, and the successes that were in the Bipartisan Safety Act, as well as gains at the state level in funding for gun violence prevention programs.

Moms is currently working on initiatives with the schools to have gun safety information included at a parental level in MA.

Moms and all of us go forward at both the state and national level to push the initiatives that were left behind in this year’s sessions, because we all know that with enough perseverance, continued activism, and solidarity, we can get there.

Grandmothers Hosts Ruth Zakarin - MA Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence

Grandmothers was joined by Ruth Zakarin, Executive Director of the MA Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence.

Ruth spoke on the Coalition’s renewed focus on gun violence. Early this year the Coalition recentered itself around the concept of any violence being a byproduct of racial and social inequities. So, while their focus on the gun itself remains, their action strategy also includes addressing trauma and the circumstances that create and perpetuate violence.

Ruth talked about a rough legislative year where they saw many of their legislative initiatives not make the finish line. To our dismay, crime data analysis, ghost guns, 3D guns, legal age, and some social justice initiatives on record expungement, did not make the cut. Moms Demand Action will be back at the table to get these issues back up in the next session. There was an extensive discussion on policing and its role in domestic violence, which will be a topic in next year’s funding.

The Coalition was also, through some great footwork and partnering with Giffords and a few others, able to secure some of the Covid Funds for gun violence prevention work.

Dr. Jen Balboni Speaks at Grandmothers July Meeting

Grandmothers was proud to host Jennifer Balboni, Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Curry College.
    Ph.D., Law Policy and Society, Northeastern University, 2006
    M.S., Criminal Justice, Northeastern University, 1998
    B.A., Criminal Justice, Westfield State University, 1992

Dr. Balboni spoke to us about the issues she sees with police training, the mental health challenges of the police and perceptions that exist about police both in the general population and among the police themselves. It is important that we recognize and work on all of these issues, to have stronger, more efficient, community-oriented policing that meets the expectations of communities and recognizes the challenges and needs of the profession itself.

Dr. Balboni has been a long-time friend of Grandmothers and does an exemplary job in teaching her students.

Grandmothers Speaks at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Chatham, MA

Grandmothers Against Gun Violence was honored to be asked to speak at the Unitarian Service on July 10.

Joan Caputo and Margaret Tompsett led a wonderful service, both on Zoom and live, which was supported by beautiful music as well as a visual slide show.

Priscilla Smith displayed her gun violence art project, which was stunning.

Grandmothers spoke about the need to change the narrative on gun violence, respecting the Second Amendment while seeking limitations, hearing and encouraging gun owner voices, and stressing that gun violence is a public health issue which can be solved with research-based solutions that address different types of gun violence. We encouraged people to vote and to help others vote, as gun sense majorities in the US Congress, and our advocacy, will be what change the tide.

National Gun Violence Prevention Weekend Bake Sale
Wear Orange Weekend

Grandmothers' Bake Sale was a fun event and we had a good chance to talk to many people regarding our organization and gun violence prevention. There was a great deal of interest in signing up to do something for our cause.

Music was donated by the North Side String Band and our members and others donated food for the sale, making for an enjoyable day.

Why do we wear orange on this day? We Wear Orange because it is the color that Hadiya Pendleton’s friends wore in her honor when she was shot and killed in Chicago at the age of 15—just one week after performing at President Obama’s second inaugural parade in 2013. After her death, her friends asked us to stand up, speak out, and Wear Orange to raise awareness about gun violence.

Tom Gabor, Author and International Expert on Gun Violence,
Speaks on “Mass Shootings in America: Trends, Causes, and Solutions”

On June 1, Tom Gabor, author of

• Carnage: Preventing Mass Shootings in America
• Enough! Solving America's Gun Violence Crisis
• Confronting Gun Violence in America
• A Declaration of the Right to Live Free from Gun Violence

He discussed the ongoing frequency of these shootings and the various causes. Gun law reforms, community anti-violence programs, and improving societal conditions are key to the puzzle that is gun violence.

He also discussed the frequency of shootings in areas with economic distress and cited isolation as a major factor.

Among other topics, he addressed disinformation, which has been spread and repeated over and over by the NRA in their bid to gain and retain power as well as to increase gun sales for the gun manufacturers. He sees a public health agency as leading the way to dispel this disinformation in the future.

We look forward to more conversations and collaboration with Thomas Gabor into the fall.

Grandmothers Hear About the Common Start Coalition Legislation

Grandmothers was joined by Sandy Faiman-Silva of the Common Start Coalition. The Common Start legislation would establish a system of affordable, high quality early education and child care for all Massachusetts families over a 5 year timeline. This system would cover early education and care for children from birth through age 5 as well as after-and out-of-school time for children ages 5-12 and for children with specific needs through age 15. This is a great way to invest in ourselves and to get our children off to a better start and headed in a positive direction.

Grandmothers Participate in Plymouth Community Health and Safety Fair

Plymouth High School North put on an engaging Health and Safety Fair and we were glad to be invited. We featured our gun safety campaign as well as materials on suicide and domestic abuse. We did some crafts with the kids and featured Soul Boxes, which are a reminder of lives lost. We also handed out fliers about Ethan’s Law, a child safety law which is approaching the US House floor. It was a good day with great conversations with young families regarding gun safety.

Grandmothers Tables at the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Court Office of Victim Services Awareness Fair on Child Abuse

Grandmothers was happy to be asked to exhibit at this event and to learn about the OVC (Office for Victims of Crime), whose purpose is

• To bring a sense of normalcy to tribal victims of crime.
• Providing emotional support to encompass traditional teachings and ceremony.
• Supplying basic physical needs stripped away by crime.
• Teaching and promoting a sense of caring throughout the community circle.

And whose mission is

• Developing safety and support through awareness of and access to cultural teachings and understandings of native historical perspectives.
• To bring a sense of well being for physical, mental and spiritual healing during times of need.
• Making sure victims rights are foremost in the circle that connects us.

OUR CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE AND WE MUST PROTECT THEM FROM ALL TYPES OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT
HELP US ALLOW THEM TO HAVE A SAFE, HEALTHY AND HAPPY LIFE
“SEE IT - HEAR IT - REPORT IT - SAVE A CHILD’S LIFE”

Grandmothers April Legislative Meeting

We discussed Ethan’s Law, which is a Newtown Action Alliance initiative that we have been working on. This bill is a safe storage firearm law that stipulates that guns must be safely stored if there is a minor under the age of 18 on the premises. We hope this will reach a House vote in early May and move on to the Senate. More work is required to pass the Senate and we will remain committed to work on that. Unintentional deaths by firearm, some mass shootings, and impulsive suicides have all been linked to laxity in firearm storage.

Grandmothers Learns About NRA – Past and Present

At our March meeting, we were lucky to have William “Bill” Sisk, a PhD candidate at Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at SUNY Albany.

He shared with us his dissertation, which explores the evolution of gun rights discourses in the alternative gun press in America, and its role in the growing dominance of radical gun rights activists on the agenda and tactics of the National Rifle Association.

His work examines the role of identity in policy discourses, especially how identity is deployed in discourses to mediate coalitional boundaries and shape strategic preferences in advocacy organizations. By tracing the relationships between context, structures, and political language, the work explains the circumstances by which radical sub-groups can develop and dominate, even with smaller numbers and more limited resources.

His work on the NRA’s development from 1871-1963 with insights up to today shows us how the NRA seized upon factions within its own group to bring itself to a stance on gun ownership that is more closely aligned with identity, politics, and anti-gun legislation than it ever was at its founding, when it was a conservation and sport association. Gun legislation became a pivot for the NRA to play against after the assassinations in the mid 90’s convinced some factions that guns were being associated with violence.

It is important for all of us to understand these transitions and how they occur to be effective in gun violence prevention.

We hope to stay in touch with Bill Sisk to see what is upcoming in his career.

Masika Gadson - Community Leader, Advocate, and Innovator -
Boston Medical Center – Violence Intervention and Advocacy Program (VIAP)

Grandmothers was honored to have Masika Gordon, an advocate at the Boston Medical Center in its VIAP program. Masika has an extensive background as a community activist. She explained the purpose of the program and how it is used to support survivors of gun violence and other trauma survivors and their families.

Whenever someone sustains a gunshot or stab wound, he/she/they are assigned an advocate and a mental health counselor. There is no fee for these services. Often the patients are in shock and don’t understand what has happened to them. The patients may not trust the hospital nor how to follow up with care after they leave the hospital. The patients' advocates will work with them and their families to explain the nature of their wounds and how to care for them, making sure that they keep their medical appointments going forward.

Hannah DeMoss, another member of the team, spoke about family support. Her team helps with basic needs such as food and housing as well as helping families navigate the hospital system. If a patient is resistant to receiving aid, his family will still be able to receive support from the group. Hannah reported that in 2021, there were 359 cases at the Boston Medical Center, down from 2020 when there were 465. The totals for all major Boston hospitals were 596 in 2021 and 821 in 2020.

Masika explained that one goal of the group is to identify triggers. She gave an example of a young mother who felt threatened by living in the city. By changing her environment, the mother was able to break the cycle and become a better mother. Masika went on to describe other programs aimed at reducing violence in the city. One program, Operation Exit, aimed at finding jobs for violent offenders. These men could choose a trade and become a paid apprentice in that trade. Often they would be working with former “enemies” in a new environment learning how that was possible.

Anthony Meeks described his work in the Street Outreach Advocacy Response (SOAR) program, where he worked closely with Masika’s team to find resources for people living on the streets.

The issue of gun violence is a many-headed Hydra where we all work in different spaces and phases of the issue to make a difference. Masika and her team and everyone who works in the hospitals and on the streets to be sure the survivors have the help and resources they need to go forward, truly contributing to a better world with less violence for all of us.

Grandmothers Speaks at Cotuit Library and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church

We were very honored to speak at the Cotuit Library and St. Peter's Episcopal Church during the early part of January, on gun violence as a public health and safety issue which is rightly classified now as an epidemic.

We spoke on the origin of Grandmothers Against Gun Violence, our core beliefs and mission and our campaign, "You Can Save a Life Now". As always, we had a good discussion about gun violence prevention and the various barriers that can occur in a discussion of the issue.

A big thank you to our member, Karen Megathlin, who spoke to the library and church to get the engagement, and to Reverend Beth Gundy and Jessica Ruden-Dube for the invitation and coordination.

Sandy Hook Rally and Zoom Evening Vigil

Thank you to everyone who attended our 9th annual evening Vigil for Sandy Hook as well as our standout at the rotary in memory of the 26 children and teachers who were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Our thanks go out to Grandmothers Against Gun Violence Washington and Grandparents for Gun Safety Kansas/Missouri who joined us in our events in memory of the day.

Coast to Coast Grandmothers/Grandparents Meeting
We are all in this together!

On November 15, Kansas/Missouri Grandparents for Gun Safety hosted a meeting so all our organizations could get to know each other a little better and learn more about our roots and what programs we have found successful.

As was no surprise, we found that as grassroots organizations, we have a lot in common from our founding to how we execute our gun safety programs. We also found that we have distinct differences in some of the paths we have chosen due to our legislative environments, memberships, and communities.

But what we all agree upon is that the voice of the older generation of grandparents carries a great deal of weight and wisdom which we can leverage by combining forces in an informal manner to increase our reach to other grandparents across the United States creating an amplified message that can be more successful.

Gun violence prevention is an overpowering issue that demands all the force and collaboration we can bring to it, and we see this as a great avenue to expand all our networks and bring a stronger voice. Stay tuned for more collaborations.

Grandmothers Against Gun Violence - Washington:
    https://www.grandmothersagainstgunviolence.org

Grandparents for Gun Safety - Kansas/Missouri:
    http://moksgagv.org

Grandmothers Meet to Write our Legislators
Soul Box Project Wrap-up

Grandmothers met in person to write postcards to our legislators on the Ghost Gun/3D gun bill, the ACES bill, and the Crime Data Analysis bill, all of which are being currently discussed in committee and need to be reported favorably out of committee for further advancement. Your legislators do not know what you want unless you tell them.

Our member Linda Loring also gave us a wrap up on the Soul Box Project on the Washington Mall in which she took part last month. Well over 200,000 soul boxes were displayed there to represent the victims of gun violence – each soul box representing a soul lost to gun violence.

Thanks to everyone who came to make their voices heard on the Hill.

Coast to Coast Rally - Don’t Be a Bystander . . . Be an Upstander
Grandmothers Cape Cod and Grandmothers Washington State

In a united stand for gun safety and gun violence prevention, Cape Cod and Washington State each had standouts in their states. Both groups have remained active in gun safety and gun violence prevention since their founding after the Sandy Hook tragedy. Thanks to all who are upstanders! We have two more rallies this year and on December 14 we honor specifically the children and their teachers who died at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Join us!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Lovern Gordon of Love Life Now Foundation Speaks to Grandmothers

October 7, 2021:

Our October speaker, Lovern Gordon, Founder and President of Love Life Now, and author of a new book, The Legacy He Left Me, spoke to us regarding her own life experience with domestic abuse both in her family growing up and with her first relationship. In her talk she touched on

• How easy it can be to fall into an abusive relationship
• Effects of being a child witness to abuse
• What constitutes a healthy relationship vs. an abusive one
• How to safely end an unhealthy relationship
• How to help someone in need

She also spoke of her foundation, The Love Life Now Foundation, which has an impressive array of initiatives:

• The White Ribbon Night Gala
• The Quarterly Brown Bag Care for Homeless Program
• Heel-A-Thon Against Domestic Violence
• Bedding Drive Against Domestic Violence
• Empowerment Fashion Show Against Domestic Violence
• Get Safe Fund
• Adopt a Family Holiday Drive
• Educational workshops

We would encourage everyone to click here to see the reach and diversity of their programs:

For more information on these initiatives, Click Here.

Grandmothers Speaks to Barnstable Adult Community Center

September 30, 2021:

Pat Hatch, past president of Grandmothers, did an excellent job of presenting the "You Can Save a Life Now!" Campaign at the Barnstable Adult Community Center. Also, a big thank you to the members from Grandmothers who attended. Our own attendance showed that we are strong and committed.

Our format was a roundtable format, encouraging all the participants to ask questions as the presentation went forward. The format was so relaxed and welcoming that we decided to use it from now on for some events.

We have also decided to launch a Speakers' Bureau again with materials so that any member can feel easy about presenting to a group in this informative and easygoing format. We will be preparing a Speakers Bureau Guide for those wishing to present.

First Coast to Coast Rally for Gun Safety
Grandparents Kansas/Missouri – Grandmothers Washington
Grandmothers – Cape Cod

On Saturday, August 14, Grandmothers Against Gun Violence Cape Cod, Grandmothers Against Gun Violence Washington, and Grandparents Against Gun Violence Kansas/Missouri rallied in their respective cities for gun safety and gun violence prevention.

All these groups were founded directly after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and have remained active and true to their causes of educating the public, advocating for better gun violence prevention legislation, contributing to research efforts, and working within their communities to give us safer spaces in which to live.

The evolution of all our groups is impressive. As the gun violence prevention movement has shifted, our grassroots groups have kept the pace and made significant contributions to the movement both on a national and local level.

Thanks so much to the membership of all three groups who showed up for gun violence prevention and gun safety.

Grandmothers Participates in Yarmouth’s "Police Night Out"

August 3, 2021:

Grandmothers was honored to be invited to the Yarmouth Police Night Out, which was a nice summer night for families and a chance for everyone to get to know each other a little better.

Donna Hannigan and Donna Wald had some great conversations with gun owners and non-gun owners alike. The perspectives we gain in our one-on-one conversations are invaluable in finding solutions, building bridges, and creating new ideas.

We exhibited our "You Can Save a Life Now" campaign and it seemed to make sense to people, no matter what opinions they had on guns and gun ownership.

To date, 12 police departments on the Cape are participating in handing out this campaign to people applying for gun permits.

Grandmothers Hosts Yarmouth Police Chief, Frank Frederickson,
for a "Coffee with a Cop" Chat

As part of our mission this year, we have vowed to make connections in the community, and we were once again glad to have a conversation with Chief Frederickson. A 42-year veteran of the police force, Chief Frederickson brings years of experience in varied positions within the police department. Among other distinguished honors and positions, Chief Frederickson is currently the president of the Cape Cod and Islands Police Chiefs Association.

We covered many topics, including the effectiveness of gun locks, pending gun legislation as it relates to ghost guns, equipment of officers on duty, diversity on the police force, and capital needs of the police.

We also discussed the confiscation of guns for various reasons, well-supervised intervention programs for youth, and the ongoing challenge of mental illness and policing.

We thank Chief Frederickson and the rest of the Cape police for their ongoing support and distribution of our “You Can Save a Life Now!” campaign.

Grandmothers Exhibits at Falmouth Farmers Market

Grandmothers Rally at Hyannis Rotary

Massachusetts Medical Society Speaks to Grandmothers on
Viewing Gun Violence Through a Public Safety Lens

June 2, 2021:

Grandmothers was joined by Brendan Abel, Director of Government Affairs & Legislative Counsel at the Massachusetts Medical Society, where he directs the legislative affairs for the organization representing over 25,000 physicians in the Commonwealth. He also serves on the teaching faculty at the Center for Bioethics at Harvard Medical School, where he teaches a core course in the Bioethics Master’s program, "Health Law, Policy, and Bioethics", among other teaching responsibilities.

Brendan spoke about the many facets of gun violence as they relate to public health and safety. When we look at gun violence as a public safety issue, we do not ask who is responsible but ask what we can do to reduce the injuries caused by gun violence. How do we prevent things from happening in the first place? How can we reduce the harms associated with firearms? These solutions can involve technology, legislation, education, mental health just as we did with reducing the number of car accidents by making cars safer, making roads safer, and making better laws.

Gun violence is not a political issue or a Second Amendment issue. It is a public safety issue and should be dealt with in the same manner as we have dealt with car safety, cigarette use, and other public safety issues.

Coast to Coast Grandmothers/Grandparents Gun Safety Groups –
Cape Cod - Washington State - Kansas/Missouri

On April 7, we were honored to be joined by Margaret Heldring, Co-Chair of Grandmothers Against Gun Violence, Washington, and Judy Sherry, Co-Founder and President of Grandparents Against Gun Violence Kansas/Missouri. We were also joined by many members from each group and were so glad to see them.

Our own Founder, Linda Alhart, started off the meeting with a history of our group and its connection to the Kansas/Missouri group. Judy and Margy followed with their group histories and programs.

As we listened to each other’s stories, it became apparent that our roots and purpose were the same (all founded directly after Sandy Hook) and that, although we had gone our separate ways, our three groups are mirror images of each other in so many ways.

We had an open, informative Q & A with everyone on the call which was very insightful and inspiring. We are hoping for many more conversations and will be sharing their events in our newsletter in the future so you can all get to know them.

“Grand” conversations will continue between these groups, because we all truly believe that collaboration and sharing of ideas will be inspiring to us all and will enrich our offerings to our members.

Our thanks to groups like these that keep the drumbeat of gun violence prevention going no matter the odds.

Sandwich Police Sign On to “You Can Save a Life Now” Campaign for Use in Police Stations

Recently we visited the Sandwich Police Department and met with Police Chief Peter Wack to discuss our new campaign on gun safety.

The department was eager to participate in the campaign by handing out our materials with firearm applications. We had plenty of opportunity to discuss the challenges the police departments have had with the pandemic and the rise they have seen in anxiety and depression during this time, which has been a common observation among all the police departments visited. During the pandemic, the stressors leading to gun violence in the areas of domestic abuse and suicide have increased dramatically, making this a particularly important time to be sure that the gun safety message reaches people.

Our thanks to them all for making gun safety a priority.

Brewster, Orleans, and Eastham Police Departments Sign On to
“You Can Save a Life Now” Campaign for Use in Police Stations

March 12, 2021:

The Brewster, Eastham and Orleans Police Departments are the most recent to join us in distributing our new campaign, “You Can Save a Life Now!”

With the addition of Brewster, Eastham and Orleans, our campaign is currently in police departments in Yarmouth, Barnstable, Falmouth, Dennis, Chatham, Truro, Wellfleet, Mashpee, Eastham, Orleans, Eastham, and Brewster.

All police stations on the Cape are actively involved in issuing LTC (License to Carry) permits and it is at this point in the process that our message of gun safety is the most pertinent. Besides having our brochures in the lobby, they will be handed out with the LTC paperwork and will be in the approval process, which is where we need them to be.

We have two more police departments to sign on, but the reception to date has been 100% positive. We thank our police departments on the Cape for their emphasis on community participation and programs which occupy a fair amount of their time.

Chief Edward Dunne, Falmouth Police, and Carmen Espinoza,
Domestic Violence Specialist with Falmouth Police and Independence House,
Join us for a Discussion on Domestic Abuse

Domestic violence is a major health crisis in the United States and its causes and solutions are complex. Many of our police departments on the Cape over the years have looked to create a bridge between the original domestic violence call and the counseling and resources that can lead domestic abuse victims to a solution that will create a better life.

The pandemic has made the interaction between the counselor and their clients difficult since most of it is by phone and, due to the pandemic, everyone is at home, including the abuser. Domestic abuse counseling providers are expecting even more calls for help as the pandemic winds down and the callers have more access.

Characteristics of domestic abuse on the Cape are demographically widely divergent involving no discernable difference related to economic situations, geography, or ethnicity, although most abusers are male.

We discussed restraining orders as opposed to our Extreme Risk Protection Orders and their various uses. Restraining orders are currently the most commonly used for domestic violence, where ERPO’s have yet to be used as commonly. An ERPO creates a broader opportunity for a family member or spouse to make a complaint before a judge to have a firearm removed if the person with the firearm is perceived to be a danger to himself/herself or others. It was cautioned that the abused can be in a dangerous situation if someone else files the ERPO without their knowledge.

We thank Chief Dunne and Carmen Espinoza for sharing their work with us and for being such strong advocates for domestic abuse intervention.

Wellfleet and Truro Police Sign on to “You Can Save a Life Now” Campaign
for Use in Police Stations

February 10, 2021:

We are proud to announce that, to date, our campaign has been enthusiastically accepted by every police department we have approached, and we have more police departments to contact as the pandemic winds down.

Our latest visits were to the Truro and Wellfleet police departments, where we were able to have great conversations about gun safety and the relevance of our materials in this time. With the pandemic and an increase in firearm purchases, preventable, predictable gun tragedies in the areas of unintentional shootings, domestic abuse, and suicides can multiply. Our campaign provides information on the subjects and resources for people at risk in those categories.

We are particularly encouraged that most departments are handing out the campaign materials with their firearm permit application paperwork as well as displaying it in their lobbies. This strategy of distribution puts the issues in front of the firearm owner at the beginning of the process, where it has the most chance of success.

Participating departments to date are Yarmouth, Barnstable, Falmouth, Dennis, Chatham, Truro, Wellfleet, and Mashpee.

Jen Muroff, Legislative Specialist, Joins Grandmothers for a Legislative Update and Forecast

February 3, 2021:

Jennifer Muroff, Legislative Action Committee Co-Chair, board member of the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, and Legislative Specialist with the League of Women Voters, joined us in our February meeting.

She reminded us that advocacy is about keeping our memberships alerted to specific issues that relate to our mission, testifying, meeting with our legislators, being involved in Lobby Days at the State House, working with other groups, and writing letters to educate the public on the issues.

The 2019-2020 session dealt with bills relating to Crime Data Analysis and Reporting, Police Reform and Accountability, Criminal Justice Reform in the areas of raising the juvenile age, expungement of records, victims’ rights expansion, and violence prevention funding.

For 2021, the bills filing deadline is February 19, committee assignments happen in the next two weeks, and new co-sponsorship rules have been applied.

Primary areas of advocacy priorities for 2021-2022 are guns themselves, criminal justice reform, trauma of gun violence, and funding of prevention programs in the budget.

The MA Coalition for the Prevention of Gun Violence will keep us posted as the session moves forward.

Click here for Jen Muroff's slides

Vigil for the Remembrance of Sandy Hook Elementary School

December 14, 2020:

On December 14, 2012, twenty-six elementary school children and staff were killed by a young gunman as they went about their daily school activities. It broke the heart of a nation. Out of this tragedy, many gun violence prevention groups were formed and continue to work for gun safety and common-sense gun legislation to this day.

Every year on the 14th of December, we honor all the lives that have been lost to gun violence, reaffirming our commitment to carry on the vital work of gun violence prevention while realizing the work has only just begun.

A world of thanks to Marilyn Lariviere for putting together such a great program for the Remembrance of Sandy Hook.

We would also like to thank Rev. Heather Bailes Baker for her inspirational message; Kim Moberg for the exceptional music; and our own Kathleen Glueck, a Sandy Hook grandmother, for her heartfelt and insightful comments on the Sandy Hook tragedy and its longstanding emotional impacts.

We were also joined by Grandmothers Against Gun Violence from Seattle and Grandparents Against Gun Violence from Kansas and Missouri , both organizations having been formed at approximately the same time as our organization. Both organizations have impressive records in legislation, research, and education.

Rally at the Rotary

December 14, 2020:

We rallied in the cold rain in remembrance of the Sandy Hook victims and all the other victims of gun violence. During the pandemic, gun sales have risen to alarmingly high rates, thus increasing the chances of unintentional shootings, suicides by gun, and domestic abuse incidents involving firearms. Urban violence has escalated, and many interventional safety nets are not available because of limited human contact in the epidemic.

We have always rallied because people need to be made continually aware that gun violence is a growing issue that will not be halted unless we all take part in the solution. The solution takes place with making your voice heard, working in communities for the changes, and voting for common sense gun legislation.

Grandmothers Receives Support of Five Cape Police Departments
for the "You Can Save A Life" Gun Safety Campaign

November 12, 2020:

We have met with the Barnstable, Yarmouth, Mashpee, Dennis and Falmouth Police Chiefs over the past month to discuss our new Campaign, "You Can Save a Life Now!”" We are happy to announce that all these departments have agreed to display the campaign on gun safety in their locations. We plan on approaching all police departments on the Cape as we go forward. We were also pleased to receive compliments on the timeliness, clarity, and resourcefulness of the campaign in the areas of gun violence which have been exacerbated by the epidemic.

Our thanks to Chiefs Frank Frederickson, Scott Carline, Matthew Sonnabend, Edward Dunne and Jack Brady.

The Covid pandemic has created many stressors in our daily lives which are triggers for gun violence and depression. We have also seen a rise in gun sales and first-time gun owners. We talked with all the chiefs about their struggles during the pandemic. We are seeing a rise in domestic abuse situations and in depression. We need to be careful with firearm safety in times like these where people may be losing hope. We would like to send out our heartfelt thanks for the support of these police organizations and the work they do on a daily basis. Strong communities are the answer to many of the challenges we face.

Click here to see the campaign

November Press

November 7, 2020:

Grandmothers was pleased to join Barbara Kanellopoulos, host of Conversations with Barbara, for an interview on our campaign, "You Can Save a Life Now!" FCTV is a community television station (Channel 13). It was a lively conversation about many topics related to gun violence as well as safe storage, Extreme Risk Protection Orders, and Suicide Prevention, which are the focus of our campaign. We are very grateful for the opportunity to speak on this show and did so in the hope of educating more people about the public health crisis that gun violence represents.

Click here to see the interview

Please go to https://www.capecodgag.org/save_a_life.htm to see our campaign, which has helpful information for gun owners and non-gun owners alike as we work through the challenges of these difficult times.

October Meeting

October 27, 2020:

Grandmothers members and other organizations met in a Zoom Meeting with Andrew Coleman, Interim Director of YMCA Youth Achievers Program and two Young Achievers. One student is enrolled at 4C’s pursuing a marketing degree and starting his own business and the other student is still in high school earning college credit and showing an interest in marketing.

These students participated, along with several other students, in a project involving all aspects of the production of three anti-gun violence videos which was funded by the proceeds of a movie on gun violence. The grant was awarded by all participating organizations including Grandmothers Against Gun Violence, Church Women United, and Moms Demand Action. Andrew and the two students shared the videos with all attendees and responded to questions from the audience.

The videos produced were entitled

1. Who is a Peace Officer in the Community?
   The youth mainly talked about who can be a peace officer in your life, including policemen/women, other friends, teachers, parents - basically anyone you can trust to help.
2. Who Can Help Me?
   This video stressed talking to someone about a problem before it turns into an issue and that adults may be the best source in this rather than your friends.
3. Don’t Answer with Violence
   This video was perhaps the most poignant, as it dealt with a hypothetical person who answered a dispute with gun violence and ruined the rest of his life.

It was a great session with the youth and we learned that many of their stresses relate to the advanced pace, technology, and the world they now live in, which is different from the world we grew up in. We think they benefitted from the skills they needed to develop and use in this project. We wish them well as they go forward.

For more on the Young Achievers:
    https://ymcacapecod.org/programs/education-leadership/teen-achievers-program/

October Press

October 22, 2020:

We had a great opportunity to speak with Emily Tullock of Cape Media News about gun violence prevention and our new campaign, “You Can Save a Life Now!”

Our thanks go out to Cape Media News for being a great resource on community news and we are grateful to be included in their programming.

You can see the campaign at
    https://www.capecodgag.org/save_a_life.htm

You can see the interview at
    https://capemedia.org/index.php/cape-media-news/

Grandmothers Meets with Mashpee Police Department on "You Can Save A Life Campaign"

Grandmothers met with Mashpee Police Chief Scott Carline and others at the Department to discuss our new safety campaign "You Can Save a Life Now". The new campaign is in use currently at both the Yarmouth and Barnstable police departments, who have been great supporters of gun safety since we started these types of campaigns in 2018.

And we are proud to sign on also with the Mashpee Police Department and are hoping for other police department signups on the Cape soon. You can find the information on our campaigns displayed in the lobbies of the police stations or view it at https://www.capecodgag.org/save_a_life.htm

The Covid pandemic has created many stressors in our daily lives which are triggers for gun violence and depression. We have also seen a rise in gun sales and first-time gun owners. We talked with Chief Carline about the effects of the epidemic and we are seeing a rise in domestic abuse situations and rising depression. We need to be careful with firearm safety in times like these where people may be losing hope. We would like to send out our heartfelt thanks for the support of these police organizations and the work they do on a daily basis. Strong communities are the answer to many of the challenges we face.

Mega Rally at the Rotary

October 14, 2020:

Grandmothers held its October Mega Rally, socially distanced and masked, as a reminder before the election that gun violence prevention is still a major election topic and that we should vote for the change we want to see. Thank you to everyone who made it such a successful rally.

The Covid pandemic has created many stressors in our daily lives which are triggers for gun violence and depression. We have also seen a rise in gun sales and in first time gun owners.

Please go to https://www.capecodgag.org/save_a_life.htm to see our new "You Can Save a Life Now" campaign which has helpful information for gun owners and non-gun owners alike as we work through the challenges of these difficult times.

Rally at the Rotary

September 14, 2020:

What happened to the Gun Violence Prevention Conversation?

Covid happened and took away all the buzz and media attention that gun violence prevention had generated! Between the election and Covid, there is scarcely a mention of gun violence unless it relates to militias or other violence. So, on this rally day, we took back the conversation by standing for gun violence prevention with over 15 people who gave up anhour of their day for gun violence prevention.

Enjoy the pictures below. There was a lot of positive response on September 14!

Rally at the Rotary

August 14, 2020:

Great effort by Grandmothers at the Rally at the Rotary on the 14th in record heat! We saw a lot of positive reaction and are always particularly encouraged by the younger generation, which see us out there as an example to stand up for what you believe in. Join us the 14th of every month from 11:30 – 12:30 at the Hyannis Airport Rotary. It’s just one hour of your time for gun violence prevention.

Launch of New Campaign “You Can Save a Life Now!” Member Meeting

August 13, 2020:

Gun violence in America is a public health issue which deserves our full attention and advocacy. A significant number of gun violence tragedies are predictable and preventable.

With that in mind, Grandmothers created a new literature campaign, "You Can Save a Life Now!" with the main areas of emphasis being safe storage of firearms, extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs or red flag laws) and suicide prevention. The campaign focuses on educating people on these issues and providing resource information. Being aware of the circumstances around oneself and one's acquaintances and acting to prevent the possible severity of those circumstances can save a life — even if you do not own a gun yourself.

With the current pandemic, gun sales have soared and it is predicted that unintentional shootings, domestic abuse deaths and many more suicides may take place due to the increased number of guns as well as the conditions we now find ourselves in that lead to these events.

If you would like to have materials for your organization for when we all meet again, please request them at capecodgagv@gmail.com. If you would like to see this program digitally please go to https://www.capecodgag.org/save_a_life.htm.

Grandmothers Finishes Soul Box Project for Gun Violence Awareness

June 12, 2020:

Grandmothers finished our project to send "Soul Boxes" to Portland, Oregon, to The Soul Box Project. By making a box we remember all the victims of gun violence, each one having their own box, including the suicides in America by gun.

In October 2020, these boxes will go to Washington, DC, where they will be exhibited on the National Mall as a remembrance to gun violence victims. We hope these boxes will also be in other exhibits around the country in the future. To date over 114,000 boxes have been sent to the Soul Box office in Portland, Oregon, from others making boxes.

Over 22 people signed up to do soul boxes completing 262 boxes. Enjoy!

Zoom Meeting Joining Grandmothers Against Gun Violence-Seattle and Common Purpose

June 9, 2020:

On June 9, Grandmothers from Cape Cod joined Grandmothers from Seattle in their first Zoom meeting. We saw some fun pictures about what Grandmothers have been doing during their social distancing and quarantine period. Many involved personal hobbies and grandchildren as well as participation in socially distanced activist activities.

Their guest speakers were the leaders of Common Purpose, whose mission is to take action to mobilize voters, while investing in the next generation of leaders and building community traveling to on-the-ground civic volunteer opportunities in key states around the country to create progressive change.

We were all impressed by the level of commitment and enthusiasm of this group, all of whom had given up paying jobs to start the group in 2018. Their organization is currently twenty states strong and believes that the privilege we all have is a responsibility to do things to make the world better.

Asked how they were doing during the Covid era, they responded that, because they had already worked remotely in many cases, they were more prepared than most. We were particularly impressed by their commitment to next generation activists and the training program they have for that purpose. (Many organizations have destined themselves to extinction by not thinking ahead about who will carry the torch.)

We encourage everyone to go to the Common Purpose link below to see how impressive this group is. Made up of racially diverse folks, this group speaks to what is possible when people with a common goal work together to make things happen. They are remarkable.

Take a look at Common Purpose: https://cpnow.org/

We thank Grandmothers in Seattle for the opportunity to meet Common Purpose.

Grandmothers Zoom Meeting — Wear Orange Soul Box Project

June 8, 2020:

Grandmothers held a zoom meeting to share ideas and to discuss the progress of the Soul Box Project, which we have chosen as our project to honor Wear Orange Day.

We were joined by Leslie Lee, who is the artist and creator of the Soul Box Project. She began the project in October 2017 after the Las Vegas shooting. It is a way for us to remember all the victims of gun violence, each one having their own box, including the suicides in American by gun.

In October 2020, these boxes will go to Washington, DC, where they will be exhibited on the National Mall as a remembrance to gun violence victims. We hope these boxes will also be in other exhibits around the country in the future. To date over 114,000 boxes have been sent to the Soul Box offices in Portland, Oregon.

Over 22 people have signed up to do soul boxes. By the time we are finished, Grandmothers hopes to be sending over 150 boxes of our own. If you would like to see a clip of one of the Soul Box exhibits, please look here:
    https://vimeo.com/420909990

Grandmothers Zoom Meeting — Open Carry and Falmouth Gun Safety Coalition

May 6, 2020:

Grandmothers Against Gun Violence Presentation

At our Zoom meeting we discussed the issue of carrying guns in public — especially how it relates to protests, rallies, and any other public demonstrations. It becomes apparent when one looks at the mosaic of laws that apply to this issue across the United States, that there is no uniform policy often leaving gun owners, non-gun owners, officials, and organizers in a precarious situation.

For instance:
36 states — Firearms allowed at demonstrations
  9 states — Firearms allowed at demonstrations but municipalities can enforce their own regulations
  7 states and DC — Firearms not allowed at demonstrations

• TX — Permits guns at protests, denies cities' restrictions, lets cities clamp down on open carry at protests, but cannot restrict concealed carry.
• FL — Bans open carry altogether but allows concealed carriers to bring guns to protests and bans cities from instituting any of their own rules in that context.
• AZ — Allows event organizers to ban guns but not local government.
• MA — Allows guns at protests but cities can do whatever they deem safe.
• TN — Towns can keep guns out of protests but need metal detectors.
• NC — Explicitly bans guns from demonstrations yet has open carry.
• Surprises — Some states that are very conservative and have prominent gun cultures are among the seven where firearms are not allowed at demonstrations.

It is not a simple thing to disallow firearms at public gatherings, but something that bears scrutiny due to the possibility of tragic events in stressful situations.

Falmouth Gun Safety Coalition Presentation

This presentation focused on the different kinds of guns and the terminology involved in the descriptions of these guns and their loading mechanisms. Some of the main takeaways were the difference in loading and firing times between a revolver and a semiautomatic weapon. Reloading a revolver is much slower than putting a magazine in a semiautomatic weapon and commencing firing. Probably the most disturbing part of the presentation was learning that only one part of a gun must be registered and that guns can be modularized to defy the laws that exist. For more information and an informative presentation, we encourage our members to go to
    falmouthgunsafetycoalition.org

MA Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence and Grandmothers Against Gun Violence -
Zoom Conference on Firearms and Suicide

Ruth Zakarin, Executive Director of the MA Coalition, began the discussion with the introduction that there were 1.9 million guns purchased in March during the outbreak of the Covid epidemic, a 72% increase in the amount of guns sold typically in March. This is a very disturbing statistic, as we all know that crisis situations create stress, and firearms can often be an outlet for that stress, resulting in increased homicides, suicides, and unintentional shootings due to accessibility.

Matthew Miller, MD, MpH, ScD, of Northeastern University, gave a powerful presentation on firearms and suicide. His background in national and international research on the topic presented irrefutable evidence that higher gun ownership results in higher suicide rates by firearms. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death over 35 years of age and the 2nd leading cause of death in ages 35 and under. The main premise of the talk was that the rates of firearm suicides in states with high gun ownership vary more than any other diseases causing death.

Click here for Matthew Miller's slides

While mental health disorder rates remain the same among states with high gun ownership and low ownership, the suicide rates by firearm are much higher in states with high gun ownership. Depression and suicidal behavior rates as well as serious psychological stress indicators are not statistically different across states with and without guns but the suicide rates by firearms are greatly different in states with a preponderance of gun ownership. As Miller goes on to explain, a clear case can be made for the impulsiveness of the decision and the availability of a lethal weapon resulting in a fatal outcome that did not need to happen.

Click here for the April 14 MA Coalition slides

Janet Goldenberg from the MA Coalition also spoke on the history of Extreme Risk Protection Orders and the work of our legislators who passed an ERPO law for MA. An ERPO law gives "breathing room to get help" in situations that might otherwise result in death. The first ERPO law was passed in CT in 1999 and the movement continued through the Santa Barbara shooting and saw its biggest rise after Parkland in 2018. In 50% of the mass shootings in this country, there were indications of the event which might have been prevented by an ERPO. In 2/3 of the shootings the guns were legal. Currently 18 states have ERPO laws and they show great potential to lessen many of our gun violence deaths. The MA Coalition and Grandmothers are working this year to heavily publicize the law so that it can reach its full potential.

MA Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence and Grandmothers Against Gun Violence -
Zoom Conference

Ruth Zakarin, Executive Director of the MA Coalition, gave an informative presentation on the types of gun violence and the danger firearms pose in normal situations as well as the challenges we face with the stockpiling of guns in crisis situations like the coronavirus epidemic.

We all know that the main types of gun violence are mass shootings, accidental shootings, community violence, domestic homicide violence and firearm suicides. We have all seen reports of the stockpiling of guns occurring while many states and the current administration declared gun shops essential businesses.

The main takeaway from the discussion is that in times of distress and tension, many of these types of firearm deaths are exacerbated by the availability of firearms as well as the lack of training of first-time gun owners. Statistics show that bringing a gun into your home does not necessarily make one safer but often has the opposite outcome in domestic abuse cases, suicides, and unintentional shootings.

The Coalition continues its work this year in legislative advocacy, supporting primary prevention in communities, public awareness of ERPO (Extreme Risk Protection Orders), and community organizing. Grandmothers Against Gun Violence is proud to support their efforts.

Click here for the April 2 MA Coalition slides

Grandmothers Joins the Unitarian Universalist Church in Chatham
for a Rally in Remembrance of Parkland

Grandmothers Against Gun Violence joined the Unitarian Universalist Church in Chatham for a rally in remembrance of the Parkland (Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School) tragedy. We remember not only the victims but the survivors who have to endure ongoing trauma and deal with medical issues.

We thank the Church for the invitation to join them and were greatly honored and pleased that we see so many other groups creating awareness for gun violence prevention and common-sense gun legislation. The reception from the people driving by was very positive.

Member Meeting

On September 12, 2019, over 150 corporations signed a letter to the US Senate outlining the issues in gun violence and asking them to take action.

Their opening statement in this letter was, "Our hearts are with the victims, their families and loved ones and all those affected by the tragic shootings in El Paso and West Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. These families became members of a club that no one wants to join: the millions of Americans whose lives have been forever altered by gun violence."

Their plea to the US Senate was, "That's why we urge the Senate to stand with the American public and take action on gun safety by passing a bill to require background checks on all gun sales and a strong Red Flag Law that would allow courts to issue life-saving extreme risk protection orders".

Grandmothers' February 5 meeting focused on writing postcards to thank these corporations for standing up for gun violence prevention. Everyone had a great time and over thirty members attended to write thank you cards.

Seventh Annual National Vigil of Remembrance for Gun Violence Victims
Federated Church of Hyannis

Many thanks to Rev. Philomena Hare and the Federated Church of Hyannis for hosting our Vigil in the Remembrance of Sandy Hook victims and all victims of gun violence.

We were joined by Ruth Zakarin, Executive Director of the MA Coalition for the Prevention of Gun Violence, and Tristan Grieve, State Director of MA March for Our Lives.

Ruth spoke about the intersectionality of gun violence and domestic abuse and the place abuse occupies in the gun violence debate. As we have often stated, Extreme Risk Protection Orders, when implemented properly in these situations, can save lives.

Tristan spoke about the impact this has had and will continue to have on his generation and those after him. It became apparent to many of us that although we hid under desks in the threat of some abstract nuclear explosion, that today children hide in closets with the very real fear that another human being is coming to kill them. What kind of fear and trauma does this instill in our children?

Our thanks to Reverend Kate Epperly, Nan Logan, Pat Hatch, Pat Sherlock, Marilyn Lariviere, John Read, Suzanne Johnson, Kim Moberg, and all our readers, for a fine remembrance for gun violence victims.

Member Meeting

Grandmothers was very fortunate to have Murray Densmore, a lifelong gun owner and member of the Falmouth Rod and Gun Club, as a speaker.

Speaking as a private citizen, Murray shared with us his views on gun safety and gun ownership. We were very impressed to learn about the measures taken at the gun club to ensure the safety of its members. We were also told that rapid firing is not allowed on the range.

A discussion ensued about national background checks and actual registration of firearms. Over 97% of Americans agree with comprehensive national background checks and some owners appear to be in favor of registrations. A background check does not retain a name; a registration does. Open carry was also discussed and although some gun owners support open carry or conceal carry, it was recognized that it makes others uncomfortable.

Rose Austin, a practitioner of Krav Maga (a self-defense system developed by the Israeli army), discussed a firearms training she was required to attend as part of her Krav Maga training. Although she never intends to own a firearm, she shared with us some of her insights of the training.

As national statistics show us, the rise of young women buying firearms clearly illustrates that we are not addressing the problems of domestic abuse and assault head on and that many in our population feel vulnerable because we have not regulated a lethal weapon properly in the United States.

It is only through discussions like these that we can get to a point of understanding each other and implementing common sense gun laws that will lower the death rate by firearm.

St. Peter's Episcopal Church — Osterville Holiday Fair

Pat Sherlock and Donna Wald from Grandmothers attended the Holiday Fair at St. Peter's and it was a fun event. We met a lot of people who wanted to know more about our organization, and we had some meaningful conversations about gun violence in this country. Once again, we heard the disbelief stated that we cannot seem to pass any meaningful gun legislation on a national level.

Reverend Elizabeth Grundy stopped by for a chat, which made our day. We signed up many attendees to receive our newsletter, which is a main objective of our outreach for 2020. We urge our members to join us at these events because it is not until we get out in the public that we can make an impact.

MA Coalition Quarterly Meeting

Grandmothers attended the quarterly Coalition meeting at the offices of Amnesty International in Boston. The Coalition has been conducting an extensive review of their own organization with consultants and their member organizations in determining how to best go forward to build "collective power". This has involved reviews of bylaws, structure, and mission, vision, values and goals statements which we all go through. The Coalition hopes to introduce a new ERPO website in the spring and is focusing on being "out in the world" where we all know the real things happen and the changes will be made. They will be participating in Vigils across the state and Washington, DC in December as well as in our own Vigil on Cape Cod.

Ruth Zakarin, Executive Director, also gave a very moving talk on the intersection of domestic violence and gun violence. Over 53 women per month are shot and killed by a partner, 4.5 million have been threatened by someone with a gun, most mass shootings in US are related to domestic or family violence. And you are 5 times more likely to die if you are a survivor of domestic violence with a gun. Ruth has an extensive background in domestic abuse before coming to the Coalition.

Amnesty International updated us on their work for refugees and their winter letter writing campaigns. Once again, as we have heard so often lately, they urge us all to tell stories because it is only when we can appeal to people on a human level that we can get things done. Their Executive Summary Report pictured here is a comprehensive look at gun violence and we hope they continue in 2020 to keep gun violence on their priority list.

91% Film Screening

In 91%, a handful of U.S. gun violence victims tell their heartbreaking stories of loss, pain, and a heroic search for hope in a nation stalled in a helpless gun debate. Moving beyond the confusion of gun control politics and avoiding any discussion about the often unpredictable motivations of rampage killers, 91% shows that Americans almost unanimously support both second amendment rights and common-sense regulation.

Grandmothers screened this film on Saturday, November 16, and we had a great response. Pat Hatch (former President of Grandmothers) led the discussion. The silence in the room after the showing was a testament to the artful director.

We discussed the major reasons why there is so little movement on the issue of background checks and how we arrived at this place in time. The main conclusions were that legislative inaction is controlled by gun lobby and NRA funding while there is still the intransigence of a minority of gun owners who see legislation as threatening to the Second Amendment.

There is still a general misunderstanding that tends to lump all types of gun violence together looking for a blanket solution. Different kinds of gun violence have different causes and different solutions. Background checks would not cure all the gun violence but at least we would know that we are not allowing criminals, abusers, and others who should not have guns to purchase guns. A national background check would also most likely cut down on the trafficking from one state to another as it would not be so easy to acquire firearms in one state with lax laws and move them to another. A comprehensive national background check across all points of purchase with the elimination of loopholes is the first logical step.

We were encouraged by the depth of understanding of the issue of the audience and their concern for the issue.

Member Meeting

Grandmothers had a great November meeting with Rabbi David Freelund speaking to us about how weapons are treated in the Jewish tradition in Israel. Currently, Israel has 3% gun ownership compared to 24% in this country. And, the United States has the highest gun death rate of any of the modern higher-income countries.

In Israel there is no notion, as there is in this country, that one has an unquestionable, unlimited civilian right to bear arms. In Israel the use of a firearm is built around a carefully constructed set of principles of Jewish tradition regarding a threat to one's own life, the protection of another, and a concept of perceived verifiable threats. Individual licenses require three-year renewals, background checks, and psychological exams. It was also pointed out that although we share heritage with Canada and that the Canadians have a high gun ownership rate, the US still far outpaces Canada in gun deaths.

Although we have enacted gun laws at various tragic points in our history when we perceived the need, it is obvious that we have not recently done so. As we all know, there are no absolute rights. One's right only extends until it causes harm or damage to the society in which the person exists. We have reached a point where we need to reassess the concept of the absolute right and come together on measures for the safety and protection of the society as a whole.

Pat Hatch (not pictured here), former president of Grandmothers, also gave a short summary of her first weeks at the Civility Project of the Cape Cod Times. This ongoing project encourages civility of discourse between opposing political parties. Some early takeaways are that we cannot personalize disputes, we need to maintain respect for others no matter what their opinions are, and that through tact and good relations we can make this divisiveness better.

Stop Handgun Violence (SHV) 25th Anniversary Celebration
Honors Many Gun Violence Prevention Advocates

Honoring Politicans,
Community Partners,
Concert Across America Organizers, and the 50 Miles More Group

Inspiring Evening at the
House of Blues in Boston

In what Executive Director of SHV, Zoe Grover, described as a bittersweet moment, SHV "gathered with its allies to celebrate 25 years of work on gun violence prevention while still being well aware of the work there is yet to be done".

We applaud SHV for all their work over the years being the constant drumbeat that has kept us all inspired and brought many allies into the fold.

Pictured to the left are the recipients of the Community Partners awards. Boston University School of Public Health, Grandmothers Against Gun Violence, Jane Doe Inc., Louis D Brown Peace Institute, MA Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, and the MA Major Cities Chiefs of Police Association.

Second picture to the left is what was described by John Rosenthal as the "Dream Team". A stalwart group of leaders and legislatoirs who have fought for gun violence prevention legislation from the very beginning. They are Mayor Marty Walsh, Attorney General Maura Healy, Rep. David Linsky, Rep. Marjorie Decker, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, Senator Cindy Creem, and Senator Edward Markey. It is with their help that MA leads the nation in sound gun laws and safety.

Next is the Concert Across America group. Having had our own Concert America Concert this year, we know how powerful that concert is in inspiration and remembrance and we thank the group for executing such a powerful national event. They are Roseanne Cash, Iona Murray-Brown, Phoebe Twombley, Doug Rickert, Jim Gibson, Anne Callahan, Donna Dees, Myha Evers, and MB Jarosik.

And the activists who planned the 50 Miles More March in MA to Smith & Wesson's headquarters in Springfield are Jack Torres, Sonya Lee Coleman, Vikiana Petit-Homme. Felix Brody not pictured.

Our thanks to John Rosenthal, Zoe and Sonya and the whole SHV team who gave us such a great evening and continue to inspire us.

Rally in the Rain at the Rotary

Well, you don't stop Cape Cod women for the prevention of gun violence because of a little rain. Grandmothers had a good Rally at the Rotary today. We are especially pleased to have many new members showing up on a consistent basis for the rally. 2020 is a big year for the gun violence prevention movement and we are committed to keep up the drumbeat until we bring home some common sense gun laws for a safer America.

The national conversation on gun violence is louder than it has ever been and it is now that we need to call both our state legislators and US legislators to move gun law reform forward. Urging your friends and relatives in other states to do so is just one of the things you can do to make the voice of gun law reform even louder.

Everyone is welcome at the Rally held every month through December on the 14th of the month from 11:30 – 12:30. You do not have to be a member and we have signage for you to use if you wish. Join us!

Grandmothers Joins the Yarmouth Police in "Ungun"
Turn In of Unwanted Guns and Ammunition

Grandmothers Against Gun Violence and Moms Demand Action tabled at the Yarmouth Police Department in support of their "Ungun" program that focuses on turning in unwanted guns and ammunition at the police station. At last count, over 13 rifles and handguns were turned in along with two pellet guns and various types of ammunition. These items will go on to be destroyed.

We had some great conversations with gun owners and police officers. Often, the conversations and points of view are the best part of the day. Deputy Chief Steven Xiarhos gave us a great tour of the training facilities, which have been built mainly from donations, as they have had difficulty in securing training money from traditional sources. We admire and support the Yarmouth Police Department for their service to this community.

Grandmothers Joined by Many for Concert Across America

Concert Across America was initiated four years ago by Boston-based Stop Handgun Violence. It was conceived as part of a day of remembrance for murder victims, designated by the U.S. Congress to take place on September 25 every year.

The concert was held on September 25 at the Cape Cod Synagogue. We had a great attendance and wish to give a big thank you to our speakers, sponsors, musicians and friends who made it such a great night. We are reminded that when people gather together with a vision and with a lot of love, hope and action, that we can achieve great things.

We also heard from Rene King, Coordinator of the YMCA Teen Achievers program, along with many of the young people she leads and inspires. These high school students were awarded a grant last year from Grandmothers Against Gun Violence and others to produce a video on how young people in our community are facing and resisting violence.

Thanks to Rabbi David Freelund, Jay Cornwall, Cantor Bruce Marlin, Kris Lariviere Hill, Jim Hill, Julie Lariviere, Kai Waynen, Misao Koyama, Emily Williams, Sierra Sullivan, Dr. Marc Walcutt, John Williams, Kim Moberg, and Rene King and the YMCA Achievers.

A big round of applause goes out to Chair of the Concert, Marilyn Lariviere and Co-Chair, Pat Hatch, and other Grandmothers' members who made this such a success.

We would also like to thank our Sponsors:

• Cape Cod Council of Churches
• Cape Cod Synagogue
• Church Women United of Cape Cod
• Jewish Federation of Cape Cod

Grandmothers Attends the MA Coalition Quarterly Meeting
More Than Words, Boston

The MA Coalition for the Prevention of Gun Violence held their quarterly meeting at More Than Words, a business that started 15 years ago in Waltham that has since expanded to Boston. More Than Words empowers youth, ages 16 to 24, who are in the foster care system, court-involved, homeless or out of school. Many have current or previous contact with the DCFS and/or the court system and 20% experience homelessness.

More Than Words has a great program which consists of two areas of focus, the Business Job and the You Job.

• In the Business Job, youth work approximately 20 hours per week managing the retail, online, pop-up and wholesale book selling businesses. They also get experience in running a high-end space and gaining critical skills and work experience, while generating revenue that offsets the program's cost.
• In the You Job, youth participate in intensive case management, life skill workshops, and site visits to partner companies and post-secondary education partners as they set and achieve measurable goals in education, work and life.

We heard from many of the participants about the changes it had made in their lives and about the role gun violence plays in inner city communities. We were encouraged to get to know the inner city better so that we can more effectively educate, advocate and legislate for the prevention of gun violence in all environments. We were particularly struck by the stories of the participants who had experienced multiple gun deaths of friends firsthand. Mass shootings are 1% of the gun violence deaths. The vast majority of other shootings occur in the cities across America on a daily basis.

This is an enterprise worth looking into. You can buy books and other items at the store or online. This is also a great group to add to your donate list (you can make a donation or donate books and clothes).

Website: www.MTWYouth.org
Donate: Click here

Grandmothers was represented by Linda Loring, Nan Logan, and Donna Wald.

Rally at the Rotary

Grandmothers had a good Rally. Many new members and new faces and our littlest advocate ever ...only six months old and already a veteran of three rallies, one of which was ours. You can join us on the 14th of every month at the Hyannis Rotary at 11:30 - 12:30. Gun violence in America is now a full blown public health and safety issue and it is up to each and every one of us to stand up and use our voices to end the senseless killings.

The national conversation on gun violence is louder than it has ever been and it is now that we need to call our state legislators and US legislators to move gun law reform forward. Urging your friends and relatives in other states to do so is just one of the things you can do to make the voice of gun law reform even louder.

Member Meeting

Grandmothers was very fortunate to be joined by Tara Greeley, Area Director for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) in Boston. We had a big crowd for the presentation, "Talk Saves Lives".

Although many people do not realize it, two thirds of all gun deaths are suicides. In the United Sates, suicide is the tenth leading cause of death and suicide by gun is 85% fatal. In the presentation, we learned about proper language to use when discussing or writing about suicide, the scope of the issue, the research being conducted, and the signs that are indicative of a possible issue.

We also learned that if you know someone who may be experiencing a difficult time, that you should speak with them in an open manner about their mental state and provide resources and the help a friend would provide.

Our main takeaway is that we can create a culture that is smart about mental health and suicide prevention. We encourage you to go to www.afsp.org to learn more. They are doing great work in continuing the conversation and creating forums for open discussions.

If you have a friend or loved one who you are concerned about, you or your friend can call 1-800-273-TALK (Veterans Press 1), which is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 911 for immediate emergencies.

Mega Rally at the Hyannis Rotary

This week we had our biggest rally ever, thanks to all the great people that showed up to stand for gun violence prevention. Over 65 people came to demonstrate for common sense gun laws such as the national background check law, which has been stalled at the doors of the Senate since it passed the house.

What can you do? You can call your Senators and urge them to bring this bill to the floor of the United States Senate. You can call your relatives in other states and ask them to do the same. Over 85% of Americans are in favor of the background check bill, so there is no reason for the Senate not to hear it.

Member Meeting

Our August meeting started off with a great talk from former Senator Dan Wolf, who has always been a great friend of Grandmothers Against Gun Violence. As most of us agree, he stressed that good gun violence prevention policy will not happen without evidence-based research to show us the root causes of gun violence. Because society is becoming increasingly "militarized" in order to protect us in various places we go, if we do not enact better common-sense gun laws, we are going to find our children growing up in a world with very little freedom. If our vision for future generations is a world in which we can move freely, we need to address the gun violence issue in order to maintain that freedom. It is always great to have Dan Wolf speak to us. It is uplifting and informative.

We were also joined by Ruth Zakarin and Janet Goldenberg of the MA Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence. They gave us a quick summary of pending gun legislation and action steps to be effective in the lobbying for its passage. They also announced that their quarterly meeting will be at More Than Words in Boston. More Than Words works "with the most vulnerable young adults in Greater Boston: those who are in the foster care system, court-involved, homeless, or out of school. At More Than Words they earn a paying job, working approximately 20 hours per week in their businesses learning critical customer service, technology, inventory management, and leadership skills". Thank you to the MA Coalition for being actively involved in this youth program and many others as well as initiating funding legislation for other youth programs. It is through developing our communities that we can help reduce urban gun violence.

Grandmothers Against Gun Violence has a Great Day
participating in the
4th Annual Unity Day on the Hyannis Green

People of Action and the Barnstable Police presented a great Unity Day in Hyannis. Unity Day is an event dedicated to building a positive connection between police and community. The mission of People of Action is "Sharing 1 love for all to create positivity by supporting our family; the community".

There was music, games, dancing, food and things for the kids to do. Now, more than ever, we need to bring our communities together for all causes.

These are great opportunities for our members to get out and "table" with us at these events.

Thanks to Donna Hannigan, Pat Hatch, Anne Grammar, Donna Wald, and Linda Loring for attending the day!

Member Input and Planning Meeting

We had a great meeting on July 10 to do some brainstorming with our members. We received some great ideas as well as some strategy and tactics for the future. The questions we asked our members to answer involved strategies for getting new members, changes in format and meetings, encouraging diversity and inclusion, partnering with other organizations, fostering member involvement and participation, new events, and initiatives. This meeting will probably become a yearly event, checking in to see how we are measuring up to other groups and our membership.

We were also joined by Roxana Greene, who is currently working with Everytown and has been a great friend to us. Her daughter, Christina Taylor Green, was with Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords when she was shot and did not survive. We marvel at the courage and activism Roxana displays in the face of such adversity.

Wear Orange — Lena Park Community Center — Dorchester, MA

Pat Hatch, Kim Evans, Donna Hannigan, Karen DeRusha, and Donna Wald attended the Wear Orange event in Dorchester on June 8. It was an all-day event put on by Lena Park Community and Moms Demand Action, well attended with speeches from Attorney General Maura Healy, Mayor Marty Walsh and Representative Holmes and many others.

Numerous groups attended. The scope and the breadth of topic coverage was impressive. There were gun violence groups, traumatic support groups, educational groups, police groups, street worker groups, faith groups, and many survivor groups. It was very encouraging and uplifting to see a community that recognizes its issues and works on all fronts to uplift that community. The personal stories of ones lost to gun violence were heartbreaking.

Thanks to all for putting on such a great event.

Grandmothers Joins the MA Coalition and Lipstick Ladies at Lipstick's New Offices

Grandmothers attended the quarterly meeting of the MA Coalition which was held at the new office of Lipstick (Ladies Involved in Putting a Stop to Inner-City Killing).

Lipstick's mission is to educate young women on the dangers of straw purchases of guns and holding guns for others. A straw purchase is when you buy a gun for someone who may have a criminal record and cannot buy it themselves.

Janet Goldenberg of the MA Coalition is pictured below left leading a practice group in a demonstration on pinpointing the sources of the guns rather than focusing on the outcomes of the violence. The Lipstick Ladies compare it to what we do in a food contamination situation. We do not focus on the victims, we go to the sources of supply and distribution.

The quarterly update from the Coalition focused on its great work. The Coalition is currently lobbying for more funds for primary gun violence prevention programs.

The gun violence issue is a complicated one and we are proud to work with so many groups that are tackling the main causes head on.

Thanks to Nan Logan for being the ride up to the city.

Member Meeting

Our guest speaker this month was Deputy Chief Xiarhos, who joined the Yarmouth Police Department in 1978, serving in a wide range of positions throughout his career. He attended Northeastern University and Cape Cod Community College, and holds a Master's Degree from Anna Maria College with a focus in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration.

Deputy Chief Xiarhos addressed several topics, including Extreme Risk Protection Orders and their execution. This is a primary concern, as we have a new Extreme Risk Protection Order in Massachusetts and we are looking forward to the order ending some predictable, preventable gun violence. He also spoke of police procedure, training, and the shortages of funding currently in the police training area.

He advised us on accepted procedure in "active killer" situations and we discussed the pros and cons of "good guys with guns" and arming teachers in schools. We feel very lucky to have him as a police officer in this community who is supportive of our work.

We had an update on the Lipstick Ladies from Ann Grammer, an update from Pat Hatch on an ongoing idea for an extension of our "Lock It Up Campaign" to include suicide, and an update from Nan Logan on the MA Coalition on their Lobby Day for the Crime and Data Analysis Bill. The Lobby Day was attended by four Grandmothers members.

Pat Sherlock gave a great introduction to the power of letter writing and we will have more on this. Gwen Johnson publicized the availability of our library. Marilyn Lariviere gave a quick update on the Concert Across America, which will be held September 25 at 7:00 at the Cape Cod Synagogue, a national day to commemorate victims of violent crime.

The usual legislative reports were given including the Crime Analysis Bill current on the Hill, The Sandy Hook Promise Save Students Act in MA which will be lobbied June 25, various initiatives to ban assault weapons and Ethan's Law, which is a Safe Storage Act currently passed in CT and now moving in Washington.

Lobbying at the State House

Grandmothers Against Gun violence joined March For Our Lives and the MA Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence in a lobbying day at the State House for the Crime Analysis and Data Bill (S.1388/H.2045), which would grant funding to analyze crime data which has been piling up since 2014.

People got chances to speak with their representatives and urge them to help bring the bill to the floor for hearings. We will also be speaking to our representatives during their breaks regarding this and other bills. We heard from the authors of the bill and the March for Our Lives students who made the day such a success.

Better legislation in the gun violence prevention arena will come from data analysis, which is so badly needed due to long–absent data analysis at the Federal level.

Rally at the Rotary

Grandmothers Against Gun Violence held its May Rally on a rainy, windy day. Not much stops this group.

We were encouraged by the positive response received at the rotary. We see this as an encouraging sign of more awareness and willingness to make the changes necessary to reduce the number of deaths that occur every year due to gun violence.

One of the most enlightening moments came when a passerby got confused about how we could support the second amendment as a gun violence prevention group. There is a lot of work to be done in explaining preserving rights granted by the Second Amendment and seeking common sense gun laws that do not infringe on that right. More importantly, what are we all willing to do to have a safer America while preserving our rights?

JOIN US AT THE ROTARY! You don't have to be a member. Everyone is welcome at the Rally at the Rotary. Appropriate and respectful signage, please. You can also use our signage.

Member Meeting

Our guest speaker for the May meeting was Michael Trudeau, First District Attorney of the Cape and Islands. He gave a very comprehensive talk on the court process, plea bargaining, bail, juries, and crimes involving guns and the number of laws on the books regarding firearms. Attorney Trudeau noted that the Cape & Islands District handles about 15,000 cases per year. District Courts handle misdemeanors and Superior Courts handle felonies which involve sentences of 3 years or more. There are 40 statutes involving firearms and 20 or 30 more which also mention firearms.

The legislative report consisted of progress and hurdles to the new ERPO bills across the nation and a wrap up of other gun initiatives (favorable or not) gaining ground in the state legislatures.

Anne Grammer spoke of her trip to the new facility of the LIPSTIK ladies in Roxbury. This group works to discourage young ladies from making straw purchases of firearms for their boyfriends.

Nan Logan spoke of the Wear Orange Day June 8th in Dorchester and the Lewis D. Brown Mother's Day March in Boston. She also spoke of the MA Coalition meeting in Boston attended by Grandmothers members.

Rally at the Rotary

Grandmothers Against Gun Violence held its first Rally at the Rotary this year on April 14.

Our presence at the rotary highlights the freedom of speech and assembly that we enjoy in our country, encourages people to speak up and stand for what they believe in, keeps the gun violence issue alive and hopefully starts a meaningful conversation.

Member Meeting

Grandmothers Against Gun Violence held its first meeting April 3 with updates from Anne Grammer on the busy months of January and March and all the events various members of Grandmothers attended.

Other committees gave reports on upcoming events and plans for a July meeting focused on membership.

Nan Logan was recognized by our speaker from the MA Coalition, Janet Goldenberg, for her work on ERPO legislation. Janet continued with a great talk on what the MA Coalition is doing to publicize and educate the public on ERPO, as well as their community involvement and their success in consulting with other states about the successes in gun violence prevention in MA.

Board Meeting

The Board held our first meeting of the new year and Grandmothers Against Gun Violence Cape Cod is off to a great start.

In these first meetings, we set objectives for the year and advance plans to make our organization stronger.

We have an exciting year coming up with gun legislation bills before Congress and we need all hands on deck.

Sixth Anniversary of Sandy Hook

Concert Across America To End Gun Violence

Jimmy Tingle at July Meeting

Grandmothers Against Gun Violence Members at 2018 Wear Orange Event

March for Our Lives

Advocacy Day for Extreme Risk Protective Order Bill

Hyannis Rally and Women's March