Guns Down America & AAPI Victory Alliance on The Gun Industry Pumping Firearms into Asian American Communities

January 22, 2024

NSSF holds their SHOT Show Expo during Gun Violence Survivors Week; just days after the one-year anniversaries of Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay shootings

Washington, D.C. — Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of the Monterey Park mass shooting that stole the lives of eleven people and injured nine others. And again tomorrow we remember the seven people killed, with an eighth person critically injured, on the one-year anniversary of the Half Moon Bay shootings. Nearly all the victims of the back-to-back mass violence were of Asian descent. At this somber inflection point, we mark the first day of Gun Violence Survivors Week, honoring those whose lives have been irrevocably altered by the gun violence epidemic.

This same week, the NSSF has shamelessly chosen to host their annual SHOT Show expo; fueling the proliferation of guns and culture of gun violence in this country with the marketing of new lethal products.

Going into the 2024 elections, gun violence prevention remains a top priority for youth and voters of color. AAPI Victory Alliance’s Virginia polling found gun violence prevention to be tied for the highest issue of concern for AAPI voters – aligning with a shift seen across the U.S.

“Guns do not make us safe. Anti-Asian hate should not be a marketing opportunity. As the communities of Half Moon Bay and Monterey Park continue to heal from their loss during National Gun Violence Survivors Week, the NSSF is hosting its annual Shot Show. Marketing more guns to our communities makes us less safe, and doing it during this time is an affront to everyone affected by gun violence. AAPI communities, in particular, have been targeted by the gun lobby in a despicable attempt to profit off of the rise in anti-Asian hate. Capitalizing on tragedy, like we saw in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay just one year ago, underscores the gun lobby’s relentless pursuit of power and profit – at the cost of human life. More guns will never be the answer,” said Guns Down America Executive Director Hudson Munoz.

“One year ago, during the height of Lunar New Year celebrations, our community was devastated by back-to-back mass shootings in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay, California. Today, gun violence in America remains not only a core public health issue but also a human rights and racial justice issue.

“Heading into the 2024 elections, it is more important than ever to meet this moment with exigency and recognize the AAPI community’s growing political, social, and monetary influence. We must continue to educate our communities, fight for systemic change, and vote for leaders at both state and federal levels who are committed to passing gun safety legislation.

“Today, and every day, we remember the lives lost to senseless acts of gun violence and look to a future where AAPIs and all Americans have the freedom to be safe throughout our communities — whether it be at home, school, work, or place of worship,” said AAPI Victory Alliance Executive Director Varun Nikore.