Gun violence is a top voting issue for Latinos in 2024, as they face disproportionate impacts LatinTimes
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InthewakeofmassshootingsinElPaso,TexasandDayton,Ohio,activistsgatheredtourgetheSenatetopassH.R.8,abipartisanbackgroundchecksactpassedbytheHouse.
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Asthe2024electionsnear,gunviolenceissurfacingasapivotalissueforLatinovotersacrosstheUnitedStates.Thisgrowingdemographiciscaughtinacomplexdynamic:theyoverwhelminglysupportguncontrol,drivenbythedisproportionateimpactofgunviolenceontheircommunities,yettheyareincreasinglypurchasingfirearmsasameansofself-defense.
ThisurgencyisechoedbyactivistslikePhillipGomez,aBerkeleystudentwhofoundedtheLatinoRifleAssociationinresponsetothe2019ElPasoshooting.“Latinoshadbeenthetargetofahorrificterroristattackbyawhitenationalist,andIknewthatmanyLatinosweregoingtostartexploringtheprospectofarmedself-defense,”GomezsaidinBerkeleyLawinterview.Concernedthattraditionalgunculture,symbolizedbytheNationalRifleAssociation,wastoxicandunsafe,Gome