Mothers Against Guns, Inc., (M.A.G.) is a non-profit and non-partisan organization founded in New York City in March, 1994.

M.A.G. Founder's Message

Liz Bishop-Goldsmith

I must go back, before I can get to where I am today.

Growing up in a small rural town (Marion Station, Maryland) on the lower Eastern Shore with a large, and loving family has helped me realize the true meaning of family and love. 

It was not easy for my parents (Roger and Marvis Bishop) to rear eight daughters and one son. We were definitely not wealthy, as society calls it today; but we were very rich in love for one another. We were taught at an early age to love unconditionally, as we were loved unconditionally. My parents could not give us silver spoons. What they gave us came from the heart, not the wallet.

They taught us moral values, to believe in God and to believe in ourselves. Today, and everyday, I thank them for their wisdom, guidance and their love. Dad has passed on and Mom suffered a brain aneurysm in 1998, and has not recovered. Though they were not stricken by gun violence, I dedicate this site to them also because I know they too, would denounce these senseless and brutal acts.

Growing up in Marion Station, Maryland was like growing up on the western frontier. Guns were used for hunting animals, not humans. For some it was a hobby and for others it was to put a deer or rabbit on the table for dinner. Needless to say, times have changed. 

In 1988, my godson Nathaniel Rowe age 19, was shot and killed in Washington, D.C. At the time, the full impact of the rapidly increasing national gun violence seemed insignificant to me, but little did I know that this was only the beginning. 

On March 4, 1994, I was inspired to form Mothers Against Guns, Inc., because of the senseless and brutal murder of another godson. Curtis Purnell Williams age 27, was working as a security officer at a nightclub in Jamaica, Queens. A disruptive guest was asked to leave and responded by shooting “Purnell” 17 times. While writing his obituary, it was then that I knew I was a mother
against guns. 

On February 4 2000, another tragedy; my dear sister, J. Bishop lost her son (Ricardo Bishop- Wilkins) to this national epidemic – gun violence. As a mother of three adult sons, the loss could not have been any greater.

During the past six years, I have received numerous awards for my commitment to the reduction of gun violence in our society, but no award on this earth can ease the pain that my family and other families are suffering because of that deadly weapon.

I am proud to say that Mothers Against Guns endorsed the Million Mom March and applauds all anti-gun organizations committed to the reduction of this violent and deadly epidemic. I urge each of you to get involved and say it loud that “enough is enough”. Say it with your vote. Say it by joining M.A.G. in the numerous activities we undertake to end gun violence. 

With Love,

Liz Bishop-Goldsmith 
Founder/President