Alaska chapter of gun safety group delivers petition to Sen. Murkowski – Alaska Public Media

Gun security advocates delivered a petition to Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Anchorage workplace on Friday asking for gun security laws.

April Rochford co-leads the Alaska chapter of Mothers Demand Motion. She mentioned final week’s faculty capturing in Uvalde, Texas, has made their work really feel much more pressing.

“I’ve two youngsters, and my older son is 10, so he’s the identical age as the children that died final week,” she mentioned. “In order that one hit actually near residence.”

The group has three requests for senators. The primary is to broaden background checks for all gun gross sales. Final 12 months, the Home handed a invoice to broaden background checks, however the Senate hasn’t voted on it but.

The second is to move a federal “purple flag” legislation, which might enable authorities to quickly take weapons away from individuals who pose a hazard to themselves or others. Consultant Geran Tarr, a Democrat from Anchorage, sponsored a statewide purple flag invoice, HB 122, over the past session. Rochford mentioned she’s hopeful Alaskans might help these sorts of measures.

“I believe if individuals simply open their minds a bit of bit and have a look at the precise payments themselves, they’ll see that they’re acceptable,” she mentioned.

The third is to substantiate Steve Dettelbach to guide the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. He’d be the bureau’s first Senate-confirmed chief since 2013, and he’s obtained bipartisan help since President Biden nominated him in April.

Rochford mentioned it’s necessary for Alaskans to get entangled within the nationwide dialog about gun security laws.

“Individuals within the Decrease 48 don’t fairly perceive the way in which that every one sorts of Alaskans use firearms for cover, or as a part of their tradition for searching,” she mentioned. “That’s why it’s actually necessary for Alaskans to be a part of the dialog.”

Sen. Murkowski’s workplace didn’t reply to a request for remark.

The Alaska chapter of Mothers Demand Motion can also be internet hosting an occasion tomorrow afternoon at Cuddy Household Park in Anchorage. The occasion will embrace speeches from gun violence survivors and state representatives advocating for gun security laws.