WASHINGTON, D.C. August 03, 2017 -- Pride Fund to End Gun Violence PAC – America’s only national LGBTQ political organization focused solely on gun violence prevention – today released the following statement regarding the NRA’s endorsement of Ed Gillespie for Virginia governor, John Adams for Virginia lieutenant governor, and Jill Vogel for Virginia attorney general.

“The NRA’s endorsement of Gillespie, Adams, and Vogel for Virginia’s top elected offices makes it clear that the gun lobby has a profound interest in influencing politics to advance their dangerous agenda and increase their profits,” said Jason Lindsay, Executive Director of Pride Fund to End Gun Violence. “With the support of the NRA, Gillespie, Adams, and Vogel will sabotage Virginia’s strong gun laws at the expense of all Virginians. Pride Fund previously endorsed Dr. Ralph Northam for governor, Justin Fairfax for lieutenant governor, and Mark Herring for attorney general because they will act on policies that the majority of Virginians support, such as universal background checks.”

“Dr. Ralph Northam has been a consistent and strong advocate for commonsense gun safety laws. Ralph has a proven track record of serving his community and treating those most prone to gun violence. For example, as a pediatrician, Ralph has held dying children in his arms who suffered from gunshot wounds. Ralph’s military service as an Army doctor makes him an expert on this issue, and we’re proud to support his campaign for governor of Virginia. In contrast, Ed Gillespie has dedicated himself to lining the pockets of gun manufacturers through his support of the radical gun lobby,” added Lindsay. “Ed Gillespie has a received a consistent A rating from the NRA, and the fact that he continues to regurgitate NRA talking points is unfair to the constituents he is running to represent. This is why, on July 25, we released our first digital ad of the 2017 election, in order to expose Ed Gillespie’s true allegiance to the gun lobby.” Watch the ad here.

“Pride Fund endorsed Justin Fairfax because he supports universal background checks, banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals,” said Lindsay. “Jill Vogel has an A+ rating from the NRA and a perfect score from the Virginia Citizens Defense League, a group so radical that even the NRA tries to distance itself from them.”

“Mark Herring has consistently fought back against the gun lobby, pursuing policies that would cut down on gun violence, so it is no surprise that the NRA would support his opponent, John Adams,” said Lindsay. “John Adams has never held elected office before and stands in opposition to the majority of Americans when it comes to gun safety policies.”

The NRA has a vested interest in supporting and funding Gillespie, Adams, and Vogel’s campaigns for executive positions in the Commonwealth. If these Republicans are elected, the NRA and gun manufacturers expect a direct return on investment in the form of higher profits funded by dangerous policies. In 2016 alone, the gun lobby spent $52 million to influence elections around the country. Now Republicans are pushing dangerous legislation such as deregulating silencers and expanding concealed carry, all of which will expand the profits of the gun manufacturers and make our communities less safe. Pride Fund is working to elect Democratic leaders in Virginia who will make communities safer and protect the rights of everyone in the commonwealth, regardless of their race, sex, gender identity or sexual orientation.

About the Pride Fund to End Gun Violence

Pride Fund to End Gun Violence (Pride Fund) is a Political Action Committee (PAC), organized for the purpose of raising and spending money to elect pro-LGBTQ candidates at the national and state level who support sensible gun reforms.

To learn more, visit www.pridefund.org . Like on Facebook at:www.facebook.com/pridefund and follow on Twitter: @Pride_Fund

PO Box 32377

Washington, DC 20007

For more information, contact Taylor Houston at (860) 884-8853 or press@pridefund.org