For Immediate Release                                           Contact: Andy Pelosi: (212) 679-2345

(New York, NY) July 14, 2004. If you think you’re dreaming when you see an eight-foot tall George W. Bush near Penn Station, well, you’re not.

New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, the state’s leading grassroots gun violence prevention organization, is launching the puppet throughout New York City to protest the almost-certain demise of the federal assault weapons ban, which is set to expire on September 13th unless Congress and the President act.

"With the Republican National Convention (RNC) coming, we wanted to get out first, so Americans realize that this administration isn't even supporting basic public safety measures at home, like the assault weapons ban," said Andy Pelosi, executive director of NYAGV, explaining why the puppet is debuting at Madison Square Garden where the Republican National Convention will convene in late August.

"Why a puppet? Because instead of protecting the lives of Americans and seeking a strong and effective assault weapons ban, this administration is acting like a puppet to the special interests of gun makers and the NRA." remarks Pelosi.

Slated to make surprise appearances throughout New York City for the next month--before the Republican National Convention even sets foot in town-- the puppet has facial features resembling the President’s. It sports a red-white-and-blue Uncle Sam hat ringed by four empty bullet shells, a shroud-style shirt, and wears a necklace of tiny red children’s cowboy boots sent to New York from Texas. A sign down its middle says, "Ban Assault Weapons".

Assault rifles pose a significant threat to law enforcement, as a recent study of FBI data by the Violence Policy Center ("Officer Down") found that one in five law enforcement officers slain in the line of duty between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 2001, were killed with assault weapons. Notorious incidents highlighting the public health risk posed by easy access to assault weapons include the school shootings at Columbine High School in suburban Denver, CO in 1999, and the workplace shootings in Wakefield, MA, where Michael McDermott killed seven co-workers firing 49 rounds from an AK-47 in December 2000.

New Yorkers Against Gun Violence is New York State’s leading gun violence prevention organization committed to reducing gun violence in our communities through advocacy and education. www.nyagv.org