January 22nd, 2019

Attention: Et. Al. Nevada Press

From: Save Lives Nevada
Contact: Andrew Woods, (702) 907-2961

POLL FINDS OVERWHELMING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR SEVERAL GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION
POLICIES AMONG NEVADA VOTERS

In preparation for the start of the 80th Legislative Session, we are releasing results of our survey taken
shortly after the 2018 General Election, voters across party lines and regions showed support for several
gun violence prevention proposals including requiring universal background checks on all gun sales (+88
favor-oppose), strengthening the definition of mental unfitness (+66 favor-oppose), and banning
domestic violence offenders from buying guns (+65 percent favor-oppose).

Elaine Sanchez, a founding member of Save Lives Nevada said:

“It has been over two-years since Nevadans voted to enact background checks on all gun sales. Barriers
were raised after Question 1 passed, thwarting the will of the people. A recent poll supported by myself
and many others who fought for Question 1, continues to show that background checks on all gun sales
have wide support. Enough is enough, background checks work, the time is now to enact them. I am
grateful for the leadership shown by newly elected Governor Sisolak and Attorney General Ford as well
as legislators and am hopeful, along with many Nevadans, that we will close this dangerous loophole
soon.”

Background: Expanded background checks on gun sales has been enacted in twenty states and the
District of Columbia. In states that have enacted expanded background checks beyond the requirements
of federal law, they have seen 46% fewer women shot to death by an intimate partner, 48% fewer law
enforcement officers’ killer with handguns, and 48% reduction in gun trafficking. 123 In 2016, Ballot
Question 1 was passed by the voters of Nevada and would have required expanded background checks
on all gun sales. Despite wide support, the will of the voters has yet to be enforced. Recently elected,
Governor Steve Sisolak has said publicly that background checks work and he will find a way to enforce
the measure stating in his recent State of the State address:

“Our country is plagued by the epidemic of gun violence, something Nevadans have come to understand
all too well. We are still reeling from the losses we suffered on 1 October. And now, at long last, we’re
going to take action. I am working with the legislature to implement commonsense background checks
on all firearm sales in Nevada.”

1 Everytown for Gun Safety, State Background Check Requirements and Rates of Domestic Violence Homicide, January 2015,
available at http://every.tw/1Aj9HZj.
2
Everytown for Gun Safety, State Background Check Requirements and Rates of Homicide Against Law Enforcement Officers,
January 2015, available at http://every.tw/1FpRqkh.
3
Daniel W. Webster, Jon S. Vernick, and Maria T. Bulzacchelli, “Effects of State-Level Firearm Seller Accountability Policies on
Firearm Trafficking,” Journal of Urban Health 86, no. 4 (July 2009): doi:10.1007/s11524-009-9351-x.
The survey (poll memo attached) was conducted between November 15 - 18, 2018 among 500 likely
2018 voters in Nevada using landline and cell phones. The margin of error is +/- 4.4 percent at the 95
percent confidence level. The pollster was Margie Omero of GBA Strategies who has a long history of
conducting surveys on gun policy at both the national and state level.

Save Lives Nevada is a 501(C4) made up of former advisory board members of Nevadans for Background
Checks. The organization was founded in the wake of the October 1st tragedy to push for the
implementation of the Question 1 ballot initiative passed in 2016 but not enforced. Save Lives Nevada is
a state based group, not affiliated with Everytown for Gun Safety or any other national gun violence
prevention organization. Notable members include Caesars Entertainment, Bill and Wendy Hornbuckle,
State Treasurer Zach and Layke Conine, State Senator Yvanna Cancela, Dana Lee, and Tisha Overman.

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