The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV), and the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence (EFSGV or Ed Fund), its sister organization, are two parts of a national, non-profit gun control advocacy organization.

History

In 1974, the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society

General Board of Church and Society

The United Methodist Board of Church and Society is a general agency of the United Methodist Church. It is one of four international general program boards of The United Methodist Church as set out the UMC Book of Discipline. The General Board has headquarters on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C....

 formed the National Coalition to Ban Handguns, a group of thirty religious, labor, and nonprofit organizations with the goal of addressing "the high rates of gun-related crime and death in American society" by licensing gun owners, registering firearms, and banning private ownership of handguns with "reasonable limited exceptions" for “police, military, licensed security guards, antique dealers who have guns in unfireable condition, and licensed pistol clubs where firearms are kept on the premises.” In the 1980s and 1990s, the coalition grew to 44 member groups. In 1989, the National Coalition to Ban Handguns changed its name to the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, in part because the group felt that "assault rifles" as well as handguns, should be outlawed. Today, the coalition comprises 48 member organizations.

Mission

According to CSGV, its mission is to secure freedom from gun violence through research, strategic engagement and effective policy advocacy. The organization has five areas of focus, regarding issues and campaigns:

• Guns, Democracy and Freedom: CSGV is opposed to the "insurrectionist philosophy" which the group attributes to the National Rifle Association (NRA)
  National Rifle Association
  The National Rifle Association of America is an American non-profit 501 civil rights organization which advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection...
  
  . The coalition contends the right "to take whatever measures necessary, including force, to abolish oppressive government” is, in fact, a plot to oppose to any stronger, activist government and degrades the institutions that protect other freedoms. Ladd Everitt has called for the arrest of all Second Amendment activists, and has called for them to be prosecuted for treason. He also supports a secret watchlist, to be made and held by the government, of persons banned from gun ownership or self defense.

• Microstamping: CSGV supports, on state and federal levels, research relating to, and the implementation of firearm microstamping
  Firearm microstamping
  Firearm microstamping, ballistic imprinting and ballistic engraving are all names given to a controversial technology that has been developed with the goal of aiding in ballistics identification; it involves the use of laser technology to engrave a microscopic marking onto the tip of the firing pin...
  
  , an emerging ballistic identification technology which purports to allow law enforcement to trace the serial number of a firearm from ejected cartridge case(s) recovered at a crime scene. Microstamping was enacted into law in the state of California
  California
  California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
  
   in 2007 with AB 1471
  AB 1471
  AB 1471 or AB 1471 Crime Gun Identification Act of 2007 is legislation passed by the California State Senate on September 6, 2007 and then by the California State Assembly on September 10, 2007, with votes of 21–17 and 43–29 respectively....
  
  . It was immediately suspended while the state determines the feasibility of implementing the law.

• Gun Show Loophole: CSGV believes that the ability of private individuals to engage in private transactions of private property without requirement for background checks constitutes a 'loophole' in the law, and is working to change this.

• Opposition to Concealed Carry: CSGV purports to highlight problems with the current system for providing permits to carry a concealed loaded weapon in public.

• Federal Legislation: Through federal legislation, CSGV supports repealing the Tiahrt Amendment, renewing the Assault Weapons Ban, closing the "gun show
  Gun show
  A gun show is a temporary exhibition or gathering in the United States where firearms, firearm accessories, ammunition, literature, knives, jerky, militaria, and miscellaneous collectibles are displayed, bought, sold, traded, and discussed. Gun shows also often include exhibitions related to...
  
   loophole", and prohibiting individuals who are on any government watch list
  No Fly List
  The No Fly List is a list, created and maintained by the United States government's Terrorist Screening Center , of people who are not permitted to board a commercial aircraft for travel in or out of the United States. The list has also been used to divert away from U.S. airspace aircraft not...
  
  from purchasing firearms.

Leadership

• Michael K. Beard is the President of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence/Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence, a title he has held since the inception of the respective organizations.

• Joshua Horwitz is the Executive Director of CSGV/EFSGV. Mr. Horwitz is an attorney who joined the Ed Fund in 1989 as Legal Director.

• Ladd Everitt has served as the organization's Director of Communications since May 2006.

• Manda Kelley has served as the organization's Development Officer since November 2006.

Membership

CSGV consists of 48 organizations. Among them are religious organizations, child welfare advocacy groups, public health professionals, social justice, and political action organizations.