Activism
Delta Sigma Theta Just Held an Official Press Conference Calling for Gun Control and Gun Reform
The women of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. held an official press conference about gun violence pushing for gun control on Wednesday in Washington DC.
During the press conference, the sorority called for the following:
- the closing of private loopholes for gun purchases
- universal background checks
- a three day waiting period for gun purchases
- raising the gun purchase age to 21 years old
- limiting the rounds of ammunition a magazine can fire
- banning civil ownership of assault military ranked weapons
- prohibiting people deemed a danger to themselves from obtaining guns
- creating a national registry of gun ownership to aid law enforcement in tracking gun violence nationally
“We are not opposed to the Second Amendment – but we are staunch advocates for responsible gun ownership and gun use who support the passage of sensible gun control measures in this country,” Beverly Smith, the National President & CEO of the sorority, stated.
This press conference comes after the recent Waffle House shooting in Tennessee in which multiple people were killed, among them, De’Ebony Groves a 21-year old member of the sorority. Another member of the sorority, Sharita Henderson was critically injured in the attack.
This was not the first time that the women of Delta Sigma Theta have spoken out about gun violence and gun control in the country. It is also not the first time that women of the sorority have been the victims of high-profile attacks. In 2015, Myra Thompson a member of the sorority was among those killed by Dylan Roof in the Charleston church shooting inside of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Delta Sigma Theta has been calling for gun control and the end of gun violence in this country for years through our advocacy efforts #DST4GunReform
— Delta Sigma Theta (@dstinc1913) May 9, 2018
We are calling on the sisterhood of Delta Sigma Theta members across this country to use the power of our Founders’ vision, the power of our collective voice and the power of our active vote to be the change we want to see. #DST4GunReform
— Delta Sigma Theta (@dstinc1913) May 9, 2018
“I have the right to be able to walk out of my house and not expect to be shot.” Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge, a member of Delta Sigma Theta, stated. “It is a really sad place for a nation when it cannot protect its children. When it can not protect its seniors”
“We can’t just keep giving people our thoughts and prayers. We have to do something..we have to stop talking.”- Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge #DST4GunReform pic.twitter.com/UPuBFps5Ha
— DREF Research Matters (@DREF_AllOfUs) May 9, 2018
At @dstinc1913's #DST4GunReform press conference today, I assured members and friends of DST that "I believe in the 2nd Amendment, but it does not guarantee the right to carry weapons of war…I have the right to walk out of my house and not expect to be shot."#silencetheviolence pic.twitter.com/37jadty8Aq
— Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (@RepMarciaFudge) May 9, 2018
“Representing the 200k+ members initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority whose ranks represent the vast number of registered voters ready to use the power of the polls, I urge congress and local elected officials to take action for sensible gun reform in this country.” National President & CEO Beverly Smith stated.
Delta’s 22nd National President Gwendolyn Boyd, the Sorority’s Social Action Commission Co-Chairs Shavon Arline-Bradley and Rhonda Briggins, and representatives from Moms Demand Action, Everytown For Gun Safety, Black Women for Positive Change, the National Council of Negro Women and representatives from Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. were in attendance.
“This isn’t partisan politics, this is saving lives politics.” Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, also a Delta, stated.
Watch the full live-stream of the press conference below:
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