WASHINGTON, DC, OCTOBER 17, 2016 – Today, Pride Fund to End Gun Violence PAC, the nation’s only LGBTQ organization solely focused on the prevention of gun violence, announced its endorsement of Katie McGinty for U.S. Senate.

“Katie McGinty will work tirelessly to champion gun reforms in the U.S. Senate – something her opponent, Senator Pat Toomey, has not done. As the daughter of a Philadelphia police officer, she understands the impact gun violence has on a community. She is committed to working for the people, not the gun lobby, in order to make our country safer for all,” said Jason Lindsay, founder and Executive Director of Pride Fund, who is also an Iraq war veteran.

In contrast to McGinty, Senator Toomey has not made gun reform a legislative priority. In fact, he voted against both Senator Chris Murphy’s universal background check legislation and Senator Diane Feinstein’s terror watch list prohibition proposal – two common sense gun reform measures that would have taken important steps in reclaiming our communities from the threat of gun violence. Pennsylvanians – and Americans – need a champion in the Senate who will side with them, and not the corporate gun lobby. Secretary McGinty is the champion we need.

“Pride Fund is a powerful and leading new voice in the fight to end gun violence, and I’m so grateful to have their support,” said McGinty. “In the Senate, I’ll work side-by-side with Pride Fund to pass reforms – like expanding background checks and closing gaping loopholes in our current laws that let terrorists buy guns – to stop the scourge of senseless gun deaths. Inaction on gun violence is no longer an option. I’m proud to stand with Pride Fund in taking the actions we need to keep our communities safe.”

Pride Fund is proud to join other gun reform organizations such as Newton Action Alliance, States United to Prevent Gun Violence Action Fund, and CeaseFirePA in endorsing McGinty. Her race is one of a handful races that can tip the balance away from the gun lobby and back to the people who are overwhelmingly calling for the passage of gun reforms.

“Katie McGinty will be steadfast in her support for gun reforms and for the LGBTQ community. She will not waiver, unlike her opponent,” said Lindsay. “She supports universal background checks and banning civilian sales of military style weapons and high capacity magazines – like the weapon used to murder 49 people and injure 53 others at Pulse in Orlando. In this election, lives are at stake and we must take action on gun reform. Toomey's votes following the Orlando massacre have shown that he has failed in his duties to make America safer and doesn't deserve to keep his job. Katie is the clear choice.”

In addition, McGinty, unlike her opponent, supports preventing people on federal Terror Watch Lists from purchasing guns and prohibiting those convicted of misdemeanor hate crimes from purchasing firearms. With this election we have an opportunity to finally start reducing the more than 33,000 gun deaths that take place in our communities every year.

Pride Fund also made another important endorsement on October 6, 2016. Pride Fund endorsed Steve Santarsiero in the PA-08th congressional race. As a state representative, Santarsiero authored the bill to close the gun show loophole in Pennsylvania, introduced a version of “No Fly, No Buy” legislation for the state, and fought “Stand Your Ground” legislation. Santarsiero is committed to bringing this kind of common sense thinking to the gun reform fight in Congress.

"As a State Representative, I've been a proud supporter of both common sense gun safety measures and equality for all Americans. I'm grateful for the advocacy of Pride Fund to End Gun Violence and am honored to have their support in my race for Congress," said Santarsiero.

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-LGBT candidates at the national 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

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