Josh Sugarmann is an American activist for gun control in the United States. He is the executive director and founder of the Violence Policy Center (VPC), a non-profit advocacy and educational organization, and the author of two books on gun control. He has written a blog on these issues for the Huffington Post and publishes opinion pieces in the media.
Early life[edit]
Sugarmann grew up in Newtown, Connecticut, graduating in the high school class of 1978. He graduated from Boston University with a degree in journalism.[1] He moved to Washington, D.C., where he became engaged in public interest activities, serving as a press officer in the national office of Amnesty International USA[2] and as the communications director for the National Coalition to Ban Handguns (now known as the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence).[3]
Career[edit]
In 1988 Sugarmann founded the Violence Policy Center, a 501(c3) gun control advocacy and educational group based in Washington, D.C.[4] The Violence Policy Center is known mainly for its in-depth research on the firearms industry, the causes and effects of gun violence, and recommendations for regulatory policies to reduce gun violence.[5][page needed]
Sugarmann has opposed the widespread availability of semi-automatic rifles. In 1988 he published a study, Assault Weapons and Accessories in America. It examined the growing popularity of semiautomatic firearms, referring to them as "assault weapons".[6] Together with the response to a mass shooting in Stockton, California, the following year, his study has been credited for popularizing the use of the term "assault weapons."[7] The study documents advertising by the gun industry that specifically refers to these weapons as assault rifles.[6][page needed]
Sugarmann has written two books on gun control. National Rifle Association: Money, Firepower & Fear (1992) was an exposé of the National Rifle Association of America.[8][9] The second, Every Handgun is Aimed at You: The Case for Banning Handguns (2000), gives reasons to ban private possession of handguns in the United States.[10][11][12]
He maintains a Class One Federal Firearms License in Washington, D.C., which makes it legal for him to transfer and handle firearms.[13] Sugarmann believes a full ban on handguns is necessary.[14] He has also called for bans on semi-automatic rifles and firearm magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds.[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Olinger, David. "War comes home for founder of group fighting for assault weapons ban". Denver Post. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
- ^ Lourdes, Meluza (1986-03-24). "Release Cuban Activists, Group Urges". Miami Herald.
- ^ Sugarmann, Josh (1986-03-24). "Progress Gives Us Great New Handgun -- Hijacker Special". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
- ^ "Josh Sugarmann". Huffington Post. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
- ^ Carter, Gregg Lee (2012). Guns in American Society: An Encyclopedia of History, Politics, Culture, and the Law, 2nd Edition. ABC CLIO. ISBN 978-0313386701.
- ^ a b "Assault Weapons and Accessories in America". Violence Policy Center. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
- ^ Blake, Aaron. "Is it fair to call them 'assault weapons'?". Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 20, 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2014.(subscription required)
- ^ "National Rifle Assoc (review)". Publishers Weekly. May 4, 1992. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015.
- ^ Broderick, J (1992-01-01). "Book reviews: Social sciences (Reviews the book NRA: Money, Firepower & Fear, by Josh Sugarmann.)". Library Journal. 117 (1): 155.
- ^ "Every Handgun Is Aimed at You: The Case for Banning Handguns". Publishers Weekly. March 1, 2001. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
- ^ Brustman, Mary Jane (April 1, 2001). "Every Handgun Is Aimed at You (Book Review)". Library Journal. 126 (6): 117.
- ^ Stone, Peter (May 7, 2001). "Lethal Weapons (Reviews three non-fiction books on gun ban. 'Gun Violence: The Real Costs,' by Philip J. Cook; 'Shots in the Dark: The Policy, Politics and Symbolism of Gun Control,' by William J. Vizzard; 'Every Handgun Is Aimed at You: The Case for Banning Handguns,' by Josh Sugarman.)". American Prospect. 12 (8): 46.
- ^ "Listing of Federal Firearms Licensees". Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
- ^ ERIC LICHTBLAU; RICHARD SIMON (April 18, 2000). "Gun-Control Movement Split by Ambition to Ban Handguns". LA Times. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
External links[edit]
- Josh Sugarmann's blogs on the Huffington Post
- Josh Sugarmann, "The Price of Freedom: More Bodies", First Monday, 23 May 2005, Iowans for the Prevention of Gun Violence
- "The Brady Bill won't break the sick hold guns have on America. It's time for tougher measures.", Mother Jones, January 1994