Brady Campaign, NJ Million Mom March, Jim And Sarah Brady Back Corzine For Re-Election

Oct 29, 2009

Washington, D.C. - The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, the New Jersey Million Mom March Chapters and Sarah and Jim Brady today endorsed Governor Jon Corzine for re-election, citing his bold and courageous dedication to strengthening gun laws that has been consistent and steadfast throughout his career in public service - a commitment that has helped make New Jersey safer. 

“There are political leaders who talk about the need to take common sense steps to combat gun violence, and there are political leaders who lead and get something done,” said Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign.  “Our friend Jon Corzine, as Governor and before that, has fought for sensible laws to prevent dangerous people from getting dangerous weapons. He’s been relentless in going after the traffickers and violent gangs that help cause that violence.”

“New Jersey is a national leader in taking steps to protect its citizens from dangerous criminals with guns,” said Carole Stiller, President of the New Jersey Million Mom March Chapters.  “Under Governor Corzine, we took courageous steps to strengthen public safety, attacking the economics of illegal gun trafficking by limiting bulk handgun sales and aggressively enforcing gun laws on the books. We need more states to show that kind of dedication to the safety of the public.”

“Governor Corzine is a wonderful man, and he’s fighting the good fight,” said Sarah Brady, Honorary Chair of the Brady Campaign.  “He’s a principled leader who puts the needs of the people of New Jersey ahead of the power of the special interest gun lobby.  Jim and I are proud to endorse him and to call him our friend.”

New Jersey has suffered more than its share from gun violence, in part because of the federal gun polices of the eight years of the Bush Administration, when America’s national gun laws got weaker rather than stronger. Nevertheless, a statewide antiviolence initiative implemented under Governor Corzine’s leadership has helped bring significant reductions in homicides and other categories of crime.  In Camden, New Jersey, for example, there had been 19 homicides as of August 2 of this year, compared to 35 for the same period of time in 2008, a 46 percent drop, the state government reports. “Statewide, there were 158 reported homicides in New Jersey in the first six months of 2009, compared to 209 during the same time period in 2008 - a 24 percent drop… [And] Uniform Crime Report figures show that murders declined statewide in 2008, marking the first time since 1999 that New Jersey has seen a drop in murders for two consecutive years.” (See www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases09/pr20090805b.html.)

Governor Corzine has championed the passage of tough new gun laws in the state as well. Earlier this year, he signed into law further restrictions on assault weapons, toughening the penalties for possession of an illegal assault weapon.  And before the State Legislature ended its session, he helped secure passage of a new law limiting handgun purchases to one per month.  Gun traffickers often buy handguns in bulk before selling them to criminals.

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As the nation's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign, with its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, works to enact and enforce sensible gun laws, regulations and public policies. The Brady Campaign is devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities.

For continuing insight and comment on the gun issue, read Paul Helmke's blog at www.bradycampaign.org/blog/. Visit the Brady Campaign website at www.bradycampaign.org.