BELLEVUE, Wash., Dec. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Guns Save Lives Day," observed Sunday in conjunction with Bill of Rights Day, was a huge success, the Second Amendment Foundation said today.

SAF Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb said preliminary data indicates that more than 20 million people saw or heard the organization's "Guns Save Lives" advertisements on cable television or radio, more than 46,000 people voted in the opinion poll supporting the right of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves from violent crime, and more than 90,000 people signed an on-line Gun Rights petition.

"We want to thank all of the sponsoring organizations that supported this event," Gottlieb said. "They are too numerous to mention all of them, but in particular the effort was supported by the Calguns Foundation, Texas State Rifle Association, Illinois State Rifle Association, Virginia Citizens Defense League, Illinois Carry, Long Island Firearms, Florida Carry, Alabama's Bama Carry, Georgia Carry, Montana Shooting Sports Association, Nebraska Firearms Owners Association, Louisiana Shooting Association, New Jersey Second Amendment Society, the Shooters Committee on Political Education of New York, Arizona Citizens Defense League and many others."

Preliminary estimates indicate that more than 700,000 people celebrated "Guns Save Lives Day" by attending gun shows, visiting gun clubs, gun shops and shooting ranges, Gottlieb added.

Leading up to the event, Gottlieb participated in 36 radio and television interviews and discussions, reaching millions of viewers and listeners with the "Guns Save Lives" message.

"From all indications," he said, "there was overwhelming support from firearms owners across the landscape. While anti-gunners shamelessly exploited Saturday's somber anniversary of the Newtown tragedy, Sunday's activities and weekend attendance at gun shows demonstrated that America is a resilient nation, and that its people understand the difference between extremist, agenda-driven ideology and common sense.

"Guns Save Lives Day," he concluded, "underscored the positive impacts of widespread firearms ownership, and the importance of protecting and preserving the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms."

The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nation's oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms.  Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 650,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control. 

Contact: Alan Gottlieb (425) 454-7012

SOURCE Second Amendment Foundation

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