The 97Percenters
Gun violence doesn’t distinguish among conservatives, liberals, or independents. Nor does gun ownership. 97Percenters get that. Some of us own guns, some of us don’t. But we don’t fit the stereotypes, and we prefer it that way. We are united by the belief that the Second Amendment and safer communities can coexist.
And we’re not afraid to tell you so.
What does our name mean?
97% of Americans support universal background checks.
At a time when unity on any issue is so hard to come by, such unprecedented agreement gives us hope. Working together, we can solve the gun crisis in America.
We are leading the way…
“It just feels like there’s no middle ground anymore, especially about guns. There’s a line in the sand people won’t cross and I think it’s because people are having these kinds of conversations online where they can say whatever they want and then just disappear. I wish we could have a more reasonable conversation and listen to each other’s points of view.”
— CLAUDIA, NON-GUN OWNER“I see a lot of misperceptions that people hold about gun owners that aren’t true. I had never touched a gun until I joined the military in 2005 and my training quickly remedied my misperceptions. A gun is a deadly weapon that should be handled with immense responsibility. ”
— STEPHEN, GUN OWNER
“Growing up, I felt comfortable around the guns in our house because their presence was taken very seriously. But, I can also understand why people are frightened by them and I think that we should all be able to work together to keep guns out of the wrong hands.”
— CALISTA, GUN OWNER
“Common ground is about hearing each other out and giving people the space to speak freely, while also understanding people’s identities. It’s really important to be open to having conversations and really listening to people we don’t agree with.”
— SOPHIE, NON-GUN OWNER
“I think that because everything is so polarized in this conversation, just simply by owning a gun I’m automatically put on the NRA’s side in people’s minds even though that couldn’t be further from the truth.”
— BRYAN, GUN OWNER
“My support for criminal background checks shouldn’t automatically label me a gun-grabber. I think the conversation needs to be much more nuanced so that both sides can coexist and come to the table without feeling like everything you believe in is at stake. ”
— JOHN, NON-GUN OWNER“I’m not a gun owner but I’m willing sit down and listen to a gun owner’s perspective to have a productive conversation that could save lives. This debate doesn’t have to be so us against them. We need to listen to each other. ”
— MICHAEL, NON-GUN OWNER
“I know I wouldn’t be affected by stronger background checks or mental health screenings and other programs like that, so I’m all for any legislation that keeps guns out of the hands of people who are incapable of using them responsibly. That type of legislation is inherently good and it’s not hard for me to get behind. ”
— TAYLOR, GUN OWNER
“I think it’s important that those of us who don’t own guns are willing to come to the table and have a productive conversation with responsible gun owners in order to make real change and save lives. ”
— JEANNET, NON-GUN OWNER
“I’ve had people find out that not only am I a gun owner, but that I have a carry permit, and be in shock and disbelief. A friend saw my carry permit in my wallet during a dinner and there was very little room for dialogue with them after that point, despite the fact that I know we actually share many of the same views on gun safety measures. ”
— LARRY, GUN OWNERWe want to hear from you.
Are you a 97Percenter too? We’d love to hear more about you and your views and share them on our website and social networks.