GGS’ 9th Annual Community Forum Held on Gun Safety Awareness Day
Some 200 people attended Grandparents’ 9th annual Community Forum last month, either in person or online, on the day declared “Gun Safety Awareness Day” in Prairie Village where the Forum was held.
On October 10, attendees heard keynote speaker attorney Josh Koskoff and a panel of local activists discuss their successful advocacy efforts. Earlier this year while representing nine Sandy Hook families, Mr. Koskoff won a landmark $73 million settlement from the insurers of Remington. It was the company that manufactured and marketed the AK-15 assault rifle used in the 2012 elementary school shooting that killed 26 people, 20 of them children.
“The real linchpin of the settlement was to make gun manufacturers the pariah of American industries, to let them know they court violence and risk financial jeopardy,” Mr. Koskoff said of the Sandy Hook case that took eight years to resolve. At its beginning, he knew nothing about guns or gun laws, but developed a novel legal approach that concentrated on Remington’s marketing the AK-15 to vulnerable customers. Mr. Koskoff had earlier likened his work on the case to climbing Mount Everest saying, “You just start walking.”
Keynote speaker Josh Koskoff and Forum moderator Dave Helling, KC Star.
In his livestreamed presentation, Mr. Koskoff traced the proliferation of AR-15s from its early cousin the Tommy gun, which was used in World War I and then later by mobsters like Al Capone and Pretty Boy Floyd. “Today those crimes (using Tommy guns) would barely make the front page,” Mr. Koskoff said, adding later that the AK-15 “is the most effective killing machine on the planet.”
Mr. Koskoff urged attendees to research which banks and insurance companies keep firearms manufacturers afloat, then refuse to do business with them.
That’s one form of advocacy. Any successful advocacy takes patience, persistence and at the very beginning “just showing up,” said Erin Woods, the local founder of Six Degrees of Activism who was among the panel of activists that followed Mr. Koskoff’ s presentation. ”You can’t be overwhelmed by the magnitude of a problem; you need to take baby steps and just find something you can do.” Her words were echoed by Kansas State Senator Cindy Holscher, who encouraged Grandparents to attend legislative sessions wearing GGS orange to show the magnitude of support for common-ground gun reform.
Attendees left inspired to engage in advocacy efforts that fit their time and interests. Included in the packet of materials they received was an “I’m Ready To Take Action NOW!” card as a reminder of advocacy opportunities each person can choose.
Forum planners celebrate another successful event. Front Row: Carla Oppenheimer, Gail Roberson, Judy Sherry, and Barb McNeile. Back Row: Katie Cangelose, Maribeth Brennaman, Jan Brunks, Julie Young, and Lisa Veglahn.
A follow-up survey to Forum attendees showed that they were inspired by Mr. Koskoff and the panel, and happy with the location. That is wonderful news as we begin the planning for our 10th Anniversary Forum on October 9, 2023.
The “I’m Ready To Take Action NOW!” card, all the contents of information packet, more of Mr. Koskoff’s remarks, and photos from the Forum can be found here. You can also view the entire Forum here. Use this password: K0Z!U2=k.
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