Brady Campaign Endorses Mervyn Dymally for State Senate, A Hero In The Fight to Reduce Gun Violence

WASHINGTON, May 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, the nation's leading gun violence prevention organization, along with its California Brady Chapters, today announced its support for the election of Mervyn Dymally to the California Senate from the 25th District in the June 3rd Democratic Primary.

"Assembly member Dymally has a long and distinguished career as a leader and champion in the fight for strong gun laws and he has courageously stood up to the gun lobby every step of the way," said Kay Holmen, President of the California Brady Chapters.

Dymally's strong support for public safety stretches back to his experience as Lt. Governor of California and his tenure in Congress. Dymally's opponent in the primary, former Assembly member Rod Wright, has a long history of voting against Brady Campaign proposals. He voted against law enforcement groups and effectively killed legislation in 1998 to ban military-style assault weapons in California.

"Rod Wright was the NRA's point person in the California Assembly during the late 1990's," said Brian Malte, Director of State Legislation for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Legislation to ban assault weapons passed the following year without the support of Assembly member Wright.

"The decision is easy in the race for State Senate; Rod Wright sides with the NRA and Mervyn Dymally stands with gun violence victims and public safety," continued Holmen.

For his efforts to kill gun control bills, Rod Wright received the NRA's "Defender of Freedom" Award at the NRA's Annual Meeting in Reno, Nevada, April 27, 2002.

As the nation's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign, with its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, works to enact and enforce sensible gun laws, regulations and public policies. The Brady Campaign is devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities. The California Brady Campaign Chapters work to enact and enforce sensible gun laws, regulations and public policies in California. Visit the California Brady Campaign Chapters at www.bradycampaign.org/CA.

Visit the Brady Campaign website at www.bradycampaign.org. For continuing insight and comment on the gun issue, read Paul Helmke's blog at
Contact: Kay Holmen in California, 818-421-3038

Or Peter Hamm, 202-898-0792

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

CONTACT: Kay Holmen in California, +1-818-421-3038, or Peter Hamm,
+1-202-898-0792, both of Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

Web Site: http://www.bradycampaign.org/

2008-05-28 17:18:57 0372246 PRNEWSWIRE