Melissa's GVP Mission
In the quest to reduce gun violence, we need your help! On Monday I will testify before the Oregon state legislature about what changes will help reduce the number of deaths. Can you help by donating to the Everytown for Gun Safety network? Here is my two minute testimony, down and dirty, no fluff at the 1:45:42 at http://oregon.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?clip_id=23323
I am a veteran, pistol coach and recreational shooter so it may surprise you that I'm testifying for senate bill 797. I served nine years in the military. I was a first responder on September 11 standing in the rubble of what was the Pentagon. I went back in to the military after that to serve my final three years.
I got married while on active duty. When we moved in together, I found an AK-47 in the closet. My husband told me that when his first wife left him he took that gun and camped out in the backyard of the man he suspected of sleeping with her. There was more than one story of this nature.
Simultaneously, I got a new boss at work. He and I got along well, I thought. One night he tried to kiss me. I rejected his advances but he just got worse and became violent. I didn't know who to turn to for help because my boss was buddies with our supervisors. My husband? He might use that unregistered automatic weapon in the closet. I knew my boss had a gun. He bragged about threatening his wife with it. I also knew the police couldn't help me because there was no legal way to remove the guns from the situation.
On December 11, 2012, I survived a mass shooting in the Clackamas mall. He fired 16 shots from an AR 15 killing two people and wounding a third. He pointed the gun in my face and pull the trigger. His gun jammed but he did not know how to fix it. He went on to kill himself with a pistol. So far luck has saved me from gun violence. I should not have to rely on luck - I should be able to count on our laws to protect me. I'm asking you to please pass this bill 797 because luck eventually runs out.
Contribution rules
- Charitable donations made through this form are received and processed by ActBlue Charities, Inc., a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization formed to democratize charitable giving, and are subject to ActBlue’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The merchant of record for this transaction is ActBlue Charities, Inc. We subsequently give your contribution to the organization or cause that you have selected on the contribution form. A copy of our latest financial report may be obtained by contacting us at actblue.com/contact or calling (617) 517-7600. Alternatively, our report detailing our programs, a financial summary, and the percentage of contributions dedicated to our charitable purpose, along with a copy of our license, may be obtained from the following state agencies: FLORIDA (registration #CH46938) – A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE, 1-800-435-7352 (800-HELP-FLA) WITHIN THE STATE OR VISITING www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com; GEORGIA (registration #CH012361) – contact ActBlue Charities; MARYLAND (registration #29971) – For the cost of copies and postage, documents and information filed under the Maryland charitable organizations laws can be obtained from the Office of the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401; MISSISSIPPI (registration #100024326) – Secretary of State’s Office 1-888-236-6167; NEW JERSEY (registration #CH3867000) – INFORMATION FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE SOLICITATION AND THE PERCENTAGE OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CHARITY DURING THE LAST REPORTING PERIOD THAT WERE DEDICATED TO THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BY CALLING (973) 504-6215 AND IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/charfrm.htm; NEW YORK (registration #45-25-27) – New York Attorney General’s Charities Registry at www.charitiesnys.com or, the Office of the Attorney General, Charities Bureau, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005, or (212) 416-8686; NORTH CAROLINA (registration #SL009830) – FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ORGANIZATION AND A COPY OF ITS LICENSE ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE STATE SOLICITATION LICENSING BRANCH AT 1-888-830-4989.; PENNSYLVANIA (registration #104758) – Department of State, 800-732-0999; VIRGINIA – Virginia State Office of Consumer Affairs, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services, PO Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218; WASHINGTON (registration #37969) – Secretary of State, Charities Division, Olympia, WA 98504-0422, 800-332-4483; WEST VIRGINIA (registration #9826) – Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305; WISCONSIN (registration #16203-800) – contact ActBlue Charities. Registration with and reporting to these agencies does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation of ActBlue Charities.
- By making a contribution, you attest that the contribution is made from your own funds or the funds of an authorizing corporation or other entity, and the funds are not being provided by any other person or entity.