FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, February 26, 2018

CONTACT: Madeleine Russak (626) 390–2158

madeleine@rushernbaker.com

RUSHERN BAKER CALLS ON HOGAN TO REJECT NRA ENDORSEMENT AND RETURN NRA CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS

~ Calls plan to arm teachers ‘colossally dangerous’ ~

Prince George’s County, MD — Following President Trump’s enthusiastic endorsement of the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) plan to arm school teachers, Rushern Baker, Democratic candidate for Governor of Maryland, called on Governor Hogan to reject any support from NRA and return all campaign contributions made by the organization. The NRA endorsed Larry Hogan for governor in 2014. Rushern Baker today called on Larry Hogan to reject NRA support in this cycle on behalf of all Maryland children.

Governor Hogan has an A- rating from the powerful National Rifle Association (NRA) and has accepted thousands of dollars in campaign contributions. Governor Hogan has neglected to join the States for Gun Safety, a new multi-state coalition to tackle gun violence created by mid-Atlantic states’ Governors Phil Murphy (D-NJ), Chris Cuomo (D-NY), Dan Malloy (D-CT) and Gina Raimondo (D-RI). Yesterday, Republican Governor of Massachusetts, Charlie Baker, joined the States for Gun Safety.

“The NRA’s proposal to arm teachers is colossally dangerous. For President Trump and the NRA to claim that more firearms in our schools will make students and teachers safer is beyond the pale.

“There are schools in Baltimore that can’t afford heating, but our President wants to provide teachers with guns and bullets. We do not need to arm our teachers. What we need is to pass common-sense gun laws that prevent teenagers from legally purchasing weapons of war.

“I’m proud of the Maryland students who marched toward the U.S. Capitol demanding action on gun control. But these high school students shouldn’t be doing the job others were elected to do. Thoughts and prayers don’t save lives; it’s time to pass common-sense gun laws.

“The gun lobby’s influence over politicians in this country is reprehensible, but not impenetrable. If politicians reject money from the NRA, they will no longer have the power to block policies that can save lives.

“Governor Hogan remained silent when the President’s budget removed funding for school safety and when Trump vanished some common-sense background checks. His silence at this time serves as a tacit endorsement of the ridiculous.

“That’s why I’m calling on Governor Hogan to publicly reject the NRA’s endorsement of him and return any campaign contributions on behalf of all children in Maryland. Governor Hogan has the opportunity to be a leader within his party to take a stand against an organization that shamelessly and repeatedly prioritizes gun manufacturers over the lives of our children and teachers.

“As Governor, I will join the States for Gun Safety coalition and work with all states as well as the Maryland General Assembly to reduce gun violence,” said Democratic candidate for governor, Rushern Baker.

Governor Hogan opposed legislation to ban guns on college campuses in 2016. Mr. Hogan has neglected to endorse a series of bills in the general assembly that would keep dangerous weapons out of our communities, and keep domestic abusers from owning weapons.

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