Chester, NJ – LD25 State Assembly candidate Darcy Draeger has been awarded the Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate distinction in recognition of her commitment to govern with gun safety in mind and advocating for gun violence prevention.

“It is vital we acknowledge that gun violence is a public health crisis,” said Draeger. “It affects the safety of public venues and schools, and research increasingly shows lock-down drills are terribly damaging to the mental health of students, parents, and educators.”

“Firearms are a factor in 85% of successful suicide attempts, and they appear again and again in domensic abuse situations. Gun violence is not inevitable, but we cannot reduce or prevent it without representatives who are committed to supporting common sense safety legislation.”

Of particular concern to Draeger is the widespread and growing use of guns by abusers. According to research done by Everytown for Gun Safety, more than half of women killed by an intimate partner are killed with a gun. Existing loopholes in federal and many state’s laws allow access to guns by abusive partners and stalkers, often with deadly results. It is clear common-sense laws that keep guns out of the hands of abusive partners can reduce gun violence and domestic violence.

In 2019, New Jersey became the 15th state with a Red Flag law in effect after the bill was signed by Governor Phil Murphy. The measure passed with almost no Republican support and without the support of then-Assemblyman Bucco, the running mate of self-proclaimed domestic violence advocate Assemblywoman Aura Dunn.

“It is disappointing so few members of the NJ GOP supported this measure, and that many continue to oppose it,” said Draeger. “New Jersey’s Extreme Risk Protection Order is designed to help law enforcement and concerned family members intervene quickly in dangerous situations. It’s smart policy that will save lives, and deserves broad bipartisan support.”

About Moms Demand Action: Moms Demand Action is part of Everytown for Gun Safety, and is the nation’s largest grassroots volunteer network working to end gun violence in America. With nearly six million supporters and volunteer chapters in every state, Moms Demand Action campaigns for new and stronger solutions to lax gun laws and loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our families.

About Darcy Draeger: Darcy Draeger is running for State Assembly in LD-25. Darcy is an analyst with almost 20 years of leadership experience in the financial services industry. She spent most of her career in Global Equities at UBS AG, where she led a team specializing in risk management and operational controls. Darcy lives with her husband and two children on their farm in Chester Township where she raises sheep, chickens, and honeybees.