Gun Safety Group Debuts With Rally In Golden

GOLDEN, Colo. (CBS4)- A new national organization focusing on gun safety and decreasing gun violence debuted across the country and in Golden. "Everytown for Gun Safety" said they're committed to stronger gun laws.

The rally in Golden was one of about 10 rallies across the nation and featured victims of gun violence.

"Someone who should not have had access to a gun took my ability to walk," said gun violence survivor Karina Vargas. "That day ended up being the worst day of my life."

Vargas was just 16 years old when she was shot outside her high school, caught in the crossfire of a gang shooting.

"My son Alex Sullivan was killed at the Aurora theater shooting," said Tom Sullivan.

Everytown for Gun Safety combines several groups in an effort to create a counterweight to gun lobbyists.

"We are almost a year to the day after a minority of U.S. Senators blocked legislation to require comprehensive background checks," said one group member.

Golden Mayor Marjorie Sloan calls the group a grassroots effort that plans to focus on state with liberal gun laws like Texas and Montana, states with advanced gun control initiatives like Colorado, will also get special attention.

The group said its gun reform plans are common sense policies that will save lives like closing loopholes for background checks.

"Ninety percent of Americans are in favor of universal background checks," said Sloan, "yet somehow it won't get through Congress."

Colorado also has strong pro-gun rights groups that were able to recall two Colorado lawmakers who voted in favor of tightening gun laws in the state.

According to the group's website: Everytown is a movement of Americans working together to end gun violence and build safer communities. Gun violence touches every town in America. For too long, change has been thwarted by the Washington gun lobby and by leaders who refuse to take common-sense steps that will save lives.

But something is changing. More than 1.5 million mayors, moms, cops, teachers, survivors, gun owners, and everyday Americans have come together to make their own communities safer. Together, we are fighting for the changes that we know will save lives.