COLUMBIA, SC – Dr. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, researcher, former Democratic nominee for South Carolina’s First Congressional District, founder of the first and only PAC for kids, and Senior Advisor at Everytown for Gun Safety, will deliver remarks during a press conference at the Moms Demand Action Advocacy Day on Thursday, March 13, at noon on the steps of the South Carolina State House.
Dr. Andrews has dedicated her career to advocating for the health and safety of children, and she is a leading voice in the fight to end gun violence. Through her work as a pediatrician and researcher, she has witnessed firsthand the devastating toll that gun violence takes on South Carolina’s children, families, and communities. Her speech will focus on the urgent need for common-sense gun laws, the real-life impact of gun violence on children and teens, and the critical role of evidence-based policy solutions.
“In my work in South Carolina, I’ve seen kids who fall asleep to the sound of gunfire and wake up to news of another shooting in their neighborhood,” said Dr. Andrews. “Kids who know exactly how to hide when they hear a loud pop but don’t have a safe place to play. Kids who have lost siblings, parents, friends—who carry more grief in their small bodies than any child ever should.”
During her remarks, Dr. Andrews will emphasize the importance of closing the Charleston loophole, a legislative gap that allowed the perpetrator of the Mother Emanuel Church massacre to purchase a firearm despite being legally prohibited. She will highlight how evidence-based policies, including a secure storage law, can prevent future tragedies and will call on South Carolina lawmakers to prioritize the safety of children over partisan politics.
“Gun violence is nonpartisan. It is a public health crisis indiscriminately devastating families across our state and our country,” said Dr. Andrews. “As we all stand here once again in deeply red, deeply gerrymandered South Carolina, we are proving that we’re not ready to give up on our state yet. We’re not backing down. We want a safer future for our kids and our communities. Our lawmakers should too.”
Moms Demand Action, a grassroots movement of Americans fighting for public safety measures that protect people from gun violence, has organized the event to mobilize South Carolinians in support of stronger gun laws. The Advocacy Day will bring together survivors, advocates, and concerned citizens to push for legislative action at the state level.
