Coalition to Stop Gun Violence


The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence and the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence, its sister organization, are two parts of a national, non-profit gun control advocacy organization that is opposed to gun violence. Since 1974, it has supported reduction in American gun violence via education and legislation.

History

In 1974, the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society formed the National Coalition to Ban Handguns, a group of thirty affiliated religious, labor, and nonprofit organizations, with the goal of addressing "the high rates of gun-related crime and death in American society" by requiring licensing of gun owners, registering firearms, and banning private ownership of handguns. "Reasonable limited exceptions" were to be allowed for “police, military, licensed security guards, antique dealers who have guns in unfireable condition, and licensed pistol clubs where firearms are kept on the premises.” In the 1980s and 1990s, the coalition expanded to 44 member groups.
In 1989, following the Cleveland Elementary School shooting in Stockton, California, the National Coalition to Ban Handguns changed its name to the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, in part because the group believed that assault weapons as well as handguns, should be outlawed.

Mission

According to CSGV, its mission is: "We believe that all Americans have a right to live in communities free from gun violence. We pursue this goal through policy development, strategic engagement, and effective advocacy." The organization has nine areas of focus, regarding issues and campaigns:
  1. Opposition to the National Rifle Association's interpretation of Second Amendment rights.
  2. Support for firearm microstamping, a ballistic identification technology intended to allow law enforcement to trace the serial number of a firearm from ejected cartridge cases recovered from crime scenes.
  3. Ban the private sale of guns by instituting universal background checks.
  4. Ban concealed carry.
  5. Opposition to the sale of what it classifies as assault weapons to private citizens.
  6. Support for "countermarketing", a strategy intended to force changes in gun industry's marketing and distribution practices.
  7. Opposition to removing the duty to retreat in self-defense law.
  8. Support for stricter mental health screening for firearm purchases.
  9. Support for the repeal of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.

    Leadership

CSGV consisted of 47 organizations in March 2016. Among them are religious organizations, child welfare advocacy groups, public health professionals, social justice, and political action organizations.
The member groups are: