Survivors of gun violence and moms planned to attend more than 150 precinct caucuses throughout Minnesota on Tuesday to build grass-roots support for gun safety, including background checks.
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America volunteer coordinator Marit Brock said the plan is "to talk to our friends and neighbors about why we care."
They'll be recognizable by their "Moms Demand Action" and "Everytown for Gun Safety" attire. The plan is to attend both GOP and DFL caucuses to talk to neighbors about the importance of knowing where candidates stand on possible gun-violence prevention measures.
Brock, who lives in St. Paul, said the group is interested in pushing the Legislature and the federal government to require background checks on all gun sales, including those purchased online and at gun shows. She characterizes the precinct caucuses as the kickoff to the group's legislative action this year.
Moms Demand Action has had success in the past. In 2014, the group successfully pushed a resolution requiring those with domestic violence restraining orders be required to hand over firearms.
In talking to neighbors, the hope is to build a grass-roots movement for change. She pointed to a recent poll showing that 82 percent of Minnesotans support "sensible" gun-safety measures.
Brock said her brother committed suicide with a gun. Of gun deaths in the state, she said 80 percent are suicides. Brock is also a mother whose daughter was in first grade like the 20 children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., in 2012.
The gun-safety groups say they expect more than 200 volunteers to show up at caucuses to promote the issue.
