One Million Moms for Gun Control, the gun control advocacy group formed in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, announced this morning, Feb. 20, it has changed its name to Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. The organization believes the new name better defines its mission and will help avoid confusion with One Million Moms, a conservative Christian group created by the American Family Association to protest what they term immorality, violence, vulgarity and profanity in the entertainment media.
"This name change recognizes that reducing gun violence requires a comprehensive approach that focuses on everything from background checks and assault magazine limits to mental health and our culture's glorification of violence." — California Rep. Mike Thompson
Moms Demand Action supports a ban on assault weapons and ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, a ban on online sale of ammunition, a universal background check on gun purchasers, and required reporting of large-quantity ammunition purchases to the ATF.
The group has declared the week of Feb. 18 as Moms Demand Action week. They are urging supporters to take advantage of the Congressional recess and schedule appointments with their representatives in the House and Senate to ask for gun legislation. Additional calls to action for the week are:
- Feb. 20 – Twitter Day: Tweet representatives between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. EST;
- Feb. 21 – Email Day: Send representatives emails between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. EST;
- Feb. 22 – Call in Day: Call representatives 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. EST.
One Million Moms for Gun Control was founded on Dec. 14, 2012 by Indiana mother Sharon Watts. In less than a month, the organization had established nearly 75 branches across the country. The group has gained international attention with its campaign to bring about increased regulations on guns.
Moms Demand Action joined the March on Washington for Gun Control rally last month, and its branches across the United States have held local rallies demanding action by state lawmakers. The group rallied in Albany, N.Y. last week to show support for the New York SAFE Act, a gun control bill signed into law in January 15 that has the distinction of being the first major gun control legislation passed since the Newtown, Conn. massacre.
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