Sarasota Brady Chapter aims for gun safety at rally

SARASOTA -- Two dozen people stood early Thursday evening at the steps of the Old Federal Building in Sarasota. Many held onto yellow signs with different messages, some calling for background checks on all gun purchases. One sign read: "Love Your Child." A few motorists honked as they drove by.

The rally was held by the Sarasota County Chapter of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, an organization that aims to "create a safer America for all of us that will lead to a dramatic reduction in gun deaths and injuries." The event was dotted with talks behind a podium and live music performed by singer/songwriter Mindy Simmons.

"The Brady organization has been around for about 30 years now," said David Evans, president of the Sarasota Brady chapter. "If any of you are historians, recent historians, it started with the shooting of Ronald Reagan and his assistant, James Brady, and from there the organization has been formed and has succeeded as one of the most vibrant gun safety organizations in the country and respected by all."

During his time at the podium, the 81-year-old Evans took aim at Rep. Vern Buchanan's position on guns.

"We are all here in defense of our Second Amendment rights," Evans said. "We are for reasonable gun safety measures that make it possible for half as many people who are dying in our country to perhaps live in the future years."

Gretchen Andersen, press secretary for Buchanan, issued the following statement to a Herald reporter Thursday night: "Vern supports enforcing existing laws that keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally deranged without violating the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans."

Brent King, who is challenging Buchanan for his congressional seat in 2016, said why he supports the Brady Campaign.

"There's three main thrusts of the Brady Campaign and one of them is closing the gun-show loophole," the 50-year-old airline pilot said. "Just so that people know exactly what the gun show loophole is, it's people that sell guns at the gun shows that aren't necessarily dealers, and they are able to sell without having an instant background check, and so that's one of the loopholes that we want to close."

King told a Bradenton Herald reporter he fully supports the Second Amendment, but "we have to have some type of control so that we don't have so many deaths, whether it be children, suicides or accidental."

Edward James III, a candidate for Florida House of Representatives District 72 Sarasota seat, also attended.

"Gun-violence prevention is extremely important," the 26 year old said, "particularly here in the state of Florida."

Larry Grossman, 67, was one of many who held signs at the rally.

"I'm appalled by the amount of gun violence in this country -- all unnecessary," the Longboat Key resident said. "It's not a good case of American exceptionalism, because we seem to be exceptionally violent, and I don't see the reason for it. It's because we don't pay attention to our own health and safety -- of fellow Americans."

Amaris Castillo, law enforcement/island reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7051. Follow her on Twitter@AmarisCastillo.

This story was originally published April 7, 2016 at 11:41 PM with the headline "Sarasota Brady Chapter aims for gun safety at rally ."