Media
Our message “Prevent A Gun Tragedy – Speak Up!” has been adopted by Fairfax County, VA.
Informal media event at the Government Center on September 20, 2022, to promote the Red Flag gun law initiative. There are now 344 Connector buses with the sign depicted in the photos. They direct people to critical information via QR codes, a webpage, and more.
Pod Virginia talks with Paul Friedman: The Cost of Gun Violence and Building a Safer Country”.
POD Virginia
Published August 30, 2022
Pod Virginia talks about Safer Country and the “Prevent A Gun Tragedy – Speak Up!” campaign.
POD Virginia
Published July 25, 2022
Should Virginia teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom?
RADIO IQ | By Michael Pope
Published August 4, 2022
Fairfax County Gov’t Meeting
A Message from Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay about the county’s red flag law public awareness campaign, which was initiated by Safer Country.
The Lusk Report
Fairfax County Supervisor thanks Safer Country for its leadership in developing its red flag public awareness campaign, including the slogan: “Prevent A Gun Tragedy – Speak Up!”
WVTF Radio
A tip prevented a mass shooting in Richmond, as communities tout the importance of red flag laws
New Safer Country Ad
OpEd in Washington Post
By Paul Friedman
Fairfax County is a leader in promoting red-flag laws. Others should follow.
‘Church and State’ Play Reading and Talk Back
Including Safer Country Executive Director Paul Friedman
Special Thanks to Advisory Committee Members Jason Odell Williams and Charlotte Cohn for the invitation to participate.
Learn more at www.churchandstatetheplay.com
WEBA Interview with Don Beyer
Paul Friedman, Executive Director of Safer Country, hosts a one-on-one interview with Democratic Incumbent Congressman Don Beyer. Get up close and personal with your candidates before election day.
WEBA Interview with Victoria Virasingh
Paul Friedman, Executive Director of Safer Country, hosts a one-on-one interview with Democratic Candidate for Congress Victoria Virasingh. Get up close and personal with your candidates before election day.
Safer Country’s First Red Flag Ad
Here is our first Red Flag Ad.
Safer Country Honors Fairfax County Supervisor Rodney Lusk
Last year, Safer Country initiated a project with Fairfax County to launch a campaign to raise awareness about Virginia’s red flag (Emergency Substantial Risk Order) law.
The work produced a new government webpage which features Safer Country’s recommended slogan, “Prevent A Gun Tragedy – Speak Up!”
On Monday, December 13, the Fairfax County government held a press conference, which included Safer Country Executive Director Paul Friedman. It put the matter at the top of WUSA9’s 6 pm news show that night.
Due to his leadership, on Wednesday, March 9 Safer Country honored Lee District Supervisor and Public Safety Chair Rodney Lusk at The Garden in Building Momentum in Alexandria.
Opinion: Fairfax County wants people to know they can prevent gun violence through its red-flag law
Washington Post: December 31, 2021
Commentary: A red-letter day
Napa Valley Register: December 16, 2021
Red Flag Law / Emergency Substantial Risk Order (ESRO) Information Campaign Kick-off
This is the official video recording of the December 13 Safer Country/Fairfax County press event launching our Red Flag law public awareness campaign. Towards the end, Safer Country’s Executive Director, Paul Friedman, speaks.
Virginia’s Emergency Substantial Risk Order (ESRO) law, commonly referred to as a Red Flag law, enables the Fairfax County Police Department to investigate and seek a court order to temporarily remove guns from individuals who have been determined an imminent danger to themselves or others.
WUSA9, 12/13/2021
Threatened with gun violence? Fairfax leaders urge victims to wave a red flag
The Patch, 12/13/2021
Safer Country and Fairfax County launch Red Flag public awareness campaign.
Alexandria Gazette, 12/11/2021
Virginia’s Red Flag law and Safer Country’s public awareness campaign.
Newsbreak, 12/13/2021
Fairfax Co. promotes red flag law to keep guns away from those deemed dangerous
Despite some calls to repeal it, officials in Fairfax County, Virginia, said Monday that the county’s “red flag law” is an important tool in taking guns away from those deemed a risk to themselves or others.
Connection Newspaper, 12/09/2021
Virginia’s Red Flag law works best with public involvement.
FEATURING
Judd Ehrlich
Director of “The Price of Freedom,” an explosive look at the NRA, which is available on HBO MAX
Fred Guttenberg
Gun safety activist and father of Jaime, who was killed during the Parkland mass shooting.
Hosted by
Paul Friedman
Executive Director, Safer Country
Napa Valley Register
“Raising Red Flag Awareness”
By Paul Friedman
Published: 10/02/2021
Transition Virginia Podcast
“How Can We Fight Political Gridlock”
Published: 9/10/2021
Washington Post Opinion: A Better Justice System
By Paul Friedman
Published: 9/7/2021
Washington Post Opinion: Virginia can do better than keeping innocent people in prison
By John Grisham
Published: 8/29/2021
Fairfax County Press Release Announcing County Wide Awareness Campaign on Emergency Substantial Risk Order (ESRO) Law
Andy Goddard, Safer Country Advisory Committee member and father of Colin, who suffered serious shooting wounds at the Virginia Tech on 4/16/07, is the Legislative Director of the Virginia Center for Public Safety. After learning of the passage of this resolution, Andy sent his congratulations to Safer Country Executive Director Paul Friedman. “Paul, that is a remarkable achievement! Congratulations. Hopefully this concept will spread to other counties, as it will undoubtedly save lives. You must feel justifiably proud.”
Check out this article from the Alexandria, VA publication called The Zebra.
The story is about recent significant changes to gun laws which have been enacted by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Three years ago today, March 9, three courageous women were gunned down in Yountville, California – a town in Napa County. Their murders were preventable.
This is Safer Country’s Executive Director, Paul Friedman’s, commentary, which was published in the March 8, 2021 Napa Valley Register.
The Conversation with Andrew Goddard, Legislative Director, Virginia Center for Public Safety, and Paul Friedman, Executive Director, Safer Country, about VA gun laws.
Chapter 8
February 26, 2021
The Conversation with Andrew Goddard, Legislative Director, Virginia Center for Public Safety, and Paul Friedman, Executive Director, Safer Country, about VA gun laws.
Chapter 7
February 19, 2021
The Conversation with Andrew Goddard, Legislative Director, Virginia Center for Public Safety, and Paul Friedman, Executive Director, Safer Country, about VA gun laws.
Chapter 6
February 12, 2021
The Conversation with Andrew Goddard, Legislative Director, Virginia Center for Public Safety, and Paul Friedman, Executive Director, Safer Country, about VA gun laws.
Chapter 5
February 5, 2021
The Conversation with Andrew Goddard, Legislative Director, Virginia Center for Public Safety, and Paul Friedman, Executive Director, Safer Country, about VA gun laws.
Chapter 4
January 29, 2021
The Conversation with Andrew Goddard, Legislative Director, Virginia Center for Public Safety, and Paul Friedman, Executive Director, Safer Country, about VA gun laws.
Chapter 3
January 22, 2021
The Conversation with Andrew Goddard, Legislative Director, Virginia Center for Public Safety, and Paul Friedman, Executive Director, Safer Country, about VA gun laws.
Chapter 2
January 15, 2021
The Conversation with Andrew Goddard, Legislative Director, Virginia Center for Public Safety, and Paul Friedman, Executive Director, Safer Country, about VA gun laws.
Chapter 1
January 8, 2021
On the Eve of the 40th Anniversary of John Lennon’s Murder:
Could A Gun Safety Law Have Saved the Beatle’s Life?
Tuesday, December 8 is the 40th anniversary of John Lennon’s murder by a gunman. On Monday, December 7th, The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence’s “Red, Blue and Brady” podcast will air …. read more
Duty to Resist was co-produced by Safer Country in 2020 to express the need to stand up and speak out for change in our nation, particularly with regard to gun violence prevention laws.
September 29, 2020
The use of force by police is a critical issue in our world. Part of that is whether officers with guns are properly trained. Tune in to hear a stimulating conversation on this and related issues.
With the passage in Virginia of a substantial risk protection order law, Safer Country recognized that this law works best when the public is aware of it and takes advantage of it. Thus, Safer Country organized the first law enforcement forum on the subject right before it went into effect on July 1, 2020.
Recorded: June 25, 2020
Safer Country Launch Party
November 20, 2019
Pete Brodnitz, President Expedition Strategies
Mark Levine, VA Delegate, (D-45)
Mike and Kristin Song The Songs lost their 15-year-old son to an accidental gun shooting in a neighbor’s home and led a successful effort in Connecticut to pass “Ethan’s Law.”
Special Performance: “Duty to Resist” on guitar by singer/songwriter Dusty Horwitt
Held at the Alexandria home of Greg Parks and David Lord, Safer Country Advisory Committee member.
September 2, 2019
Safer Country’s first event honored Heather Heyer and those gunned down in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio in the summer of 2019.