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Rep. Boccieri Focuses Aim On NRA "Virtual Shootout" Rather Than Real Ohio Shootings

Dec 3, 2009

Washington, DC –  U.S. Rep. John Boccieri (OH-16) held a Washington, DC, fundraiser last night, hosted by the National Rifle Association, billed as a "Virtual Shootout."

See Rep. Boccieri's flyer here: http://www.bradycampaign.org//xshare/pdf/boccieri_flyer.pdf

Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, said, "It is sad that Rep. Boccieri finds it necessary to hold a 'Virtual Shootout' to raise campaign dollars at the NRA while Ohioans in and around his district fall victim to real shootouts on a regular basis."

Toby Hoover, Executive Director of the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence agreed, saying, "It's bad enough that Rep. Boccieri is kowtowing to the NRA in the first place.  One would think he would have the decency to take Ohio's victims of gun violence into account before having an NRA-hosted fundraiser called a 'Virtual Shootout.'"

In just the past few months, dangerous people in and around Rep. Boccieri's Congressional District have been implicated in too many real shootouts:

  • John Butler has been charged with shooting Arthur Breault twice in the stomach and once in the head the day before Thanksgiving.  Butler was initially held in the Ashland County Jail, located in Rep. Boccieri's district.
  • Cliff E. Hill Jr. has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for shooting Ashland County resident John Stone during a March home invasion.  The eastern half of Ashland County is in Rep. Boccieri's district, as is the Ashland Samaritan Hospital where Stone was reportedly treated.

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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.