Beacon Press Donating Profits from Its Books on Guns for Gun Control Movement
March 28, 2018
In the wake of the nationwide “March For Our Lives” events across the country this Saturday, Beacon Press is pleased to announce that all profits from this year’s print and ebook sales of two of our titles, “Guns Don’t Kill People, People Kill People” And Other Myths about Guns and Gun Control and Bullets into Bells: Poets and Citizens Respond to Gun Violence, will be donated to both the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and the Peace Center of Connecticut, Inc.
In light of the recent devastating attacks on children and their teachers, Beacon Press takes its fight for social change a step further in the form of these donations. “I’m happy that Beacon has these resources to offer,” says director Helene Atwan. Beacon Press is a mission-driven publisher that seeks to promote justice, equity, and compassion in human relations through the books it produces. As the debate surrounding gun control intensifies, Beacon finds it more important than ever before to highlight these titles that speak truth to those with the power to influence gun legislation for the safety of all communities.
“When I signed Dennis Henigan’s “Guns Don’t Kill People, People Kill People” And Other Myths about Guns and Gun Control, I knew it would provide much needed information for those fighting for sane measures of gun control, as well as reasoned counter-arguments to the many myths perpetuated by the gun lobby in America,” says Atwan. “Not long after, when novelist Colum McCann approached me about publishing an anthology of poetry about gun violence, Bullets into Bells: Poets & Citizens Respond to Gun Violence, I eagerly embraced the book for its potential to move readers, both through the power of the poems and by the clarity and emotion of the responses.”
“We’ve seen events where the poems are read—including one reading on the floor of the House of Representatives—and articles where the facts from Denny’s book are cited,” says Atwan. “We’ve also decided to suspend any business we do with FedEx until they are willing to rethink their support of the NRA by offering their members special discounts. These are small things in the face of the power of the gun lobby and its allies, but if it helps fuel the movement started by the Parkland students and spreading across the nation, I’m grateful.”
The authors and organizations involved have graciously agreed to partner with Beacon Press on this initiative:
“Beacon's support for the Peace Center of Connecticut is an extension of the press’s mission and a perfect embodiment of the goal of Bullets into Bells to be a real-world tool for reducing gun violence. Our country suffers from many different kinds of gun violence, and improving our gun control laws will certainly reduce many of those kinds of gun violence. But we can also work to improve education, communication, compassion, and peace-work in and among communities; that work, also, will reduce gun violence, and that is the work that the Peace Center was founded to do. The editors of Bullets into Bells are proud to support that mission.”
—Brian Clements, Editor, Bullets into Bells: Poets & Citizens Respond to Gun Violence
“With so many myths and half-truths available, Dennis Henigan’s book is so important in making sure that people know the truth about gun violence. The Brady Campaign is so honored by Beacon’s support and commitment to this issue, particularly given the tremendous energy and dedication we are seeing following the March for Our Lives. We stand with Dennis and Beacon to say that we have had #ENOUGH, and we look forward to working with them to counter gun violence in our communities.”
—Avery Gardiner, Co-President, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
“I am thrilled that Beacon Press will be donating profits from my book to the Brady Center and its lifesaving work. The book is informed by my two decades of work at Brady, taking on the NRA, and is dedicated to the memory of Jim and Sarah Brady. Beacon’s gracious gesture comes at a pivotal time on the gun issue, as the courage of the Parkland students has energized a generation to demand action to stop the shooting. Because of Beacon and Brady, I now know that my book will save lives.”
—Dennis A. Henigan, “Guns Don’t Kill People, People Kill People” And Other Myths About Guns and Gun Control
“Beacon’s incredibly generous gift is a testament to their desire to see our communities become more peaceful. The Peace Center of Connecticut strives to establish connection throughout Connecticut, provide education for our youth, learn the best practices for communities to be more peaceful, provide a platform for differences to be respected and for the celebration of those who are committed to Peace. Gun violence has gripped us as a nation. It is our responsibility to tighten our grip even more around the people in our community/country to ensure they are safe, healthy, and thriving together. We stand with the editors of Bullets into Bells in their mission to reduce gun violence. PERIOD!”
—Iran Nazario, President/CEO, Peace Center of Connecticut, Inc.
Beacon Press is an independent publisher of serious non-fiction. Our books often change the way readers think about fundamental issues; they promote such values as freedom of speech and thought; diversity, religious pluralism, and anti-racism; and respect for diversity in all areas of life.