Charlie Crist Gets Endorsement From Second Gun Control Advocacy Group

Ban Assault Weapons NOW supports the former congressman for his voting record in favor of gun reform, and predicted gun violence will only get worse under DeSantis.

The gun control advocacy group Ban Assault Weapons NOW (BAWN) has endorsed Charlie Crist for Florida governor.

Crist is the Democratic candidate who will compete against incumbent Gov. Ron DeSantis on Nov. 8.

BAWN chose the former congress member and governor for his record on gun safety.

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“It is with great enthusiasm that family members and survivors from two of the deadliest shootings in American history, announce BAWN’s endorsement and commitment to help elect Charlie Crist as the next Governor of Florida,” the organization said in a statement.

In Congress, Crist voted to reinstate the national Assault Weapons Ban, and during his campaign, he promised to act against gun violence.

The BAWN endorsement comes a week after another important gun control advocacy group, Everytown for Gun Safety, also endorsed Crist. 

“I’m proud to earn the support of BAWN in our mission to fight for Florida and work to put an end to the gun violence epidemic destroying our communities. Enough is enough. How many more innocent children and families need to die before we take real action to keep Floridians safe? I vow to be a fighter for common sense gun reform and a champion for safer communities,” Crist said in a statement. 

In contrast, BAWN predicted that if DeSantis wins a second term, gun violence will soar, because of the governor’s lack of support for gun control laws and his intention to pass a constitutional carry bill. 

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“In addition to saying he would have vetoed the bipartisan common sense reforms passed after the Parkland massacre, Ron DeSantis has vowed to pass a permitless and untrained carry bill, allowing Floridians to carry a loaded gun in public with no permit, no safety training, and no background check,” said Gail Schwartz, BAWN founder.

Florida currently has an ​​average of 2,849 gun deaths annually, according to data from Everytown for Gun Safety. The state also witnessed two of the country’s worst massacres in modern history, at Pulse Nightclub and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where 66 people were killed in total, with semi-automatic rifles.