[LBJ Future Forum] Building a Movement: Gun Control in America

On October 22, 1968, President Johnson signed the Gun Control Act into law— banning mail order sales of rifles and shotguns and prohibiting most felons, drug users, and people found mentally incompetent from buying guns. At the signing President Johnson stated: “Congress adopted most of our recommendations. But this bill—as big as this bill is—still falls short, because we just could not get the Congress to carry out the requests we made of them. I asked for the national registration of all guns and the licensing of those who carry those guns. For the fact of life is that there are over 160 million guns in this country—more firearms than families. If guns are to be kept out of the hands of the criminal, out of the hands of the insane, and out of the hands of the irresponsible, then we just must have licensing. If the criminal with a gun is to be tracked down quickly, then we must have registration in this country. The voices that blocked these safeguards were not the voices of an aroused nation. They were the voices of a powerful lobby, a gun lobby, that has prevailed for the moment in an election year.” Fifty-six years later, President Johnson’s words still ring true. On October 22, 2024, LBJ Future Forum hosted a conversation about social activism, democracy, and movement building, focusing on the work that is being done now by younger generations on the issue of gun violence prevention. Topics of discussion included the changes we have seen in America since Lyndon Johnson signed the Gun Control Act, how we embrace diversity of thought and find common goals, and how we engage younger voters in the political process. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson offered welcome remarks. Speakers: Amber Goodwin, Founder of Community Justice and Travis County Assistant District Attorney David Hogg, Co-founder of March for Our Lives Kimberly Mata-Rubio, Mother of Lexi Rubio, killed in the Robb Elementary shooting Moderator: Alexandra Samuels, Senior Editor at Texas Monthly