This is what needs to be done going forward against politicians who continue to keep our citizens and specifically our children at risk.. We must be honest. Where there is robust gun control, there are orders of magnitude less gun violence incidents. The numbers do not lie.
Using the 2nd Amendment as an excuse for not passing strict gun control laws is just that, an excuse. It is another way to promote the NRA agenda which is nothing more than the advertising and enforcement division of the gun manufacturers.
Everytown for Gun Safety wrote a scorching civilly written letter attacking Texas Governor Greg Abbott for his inaction and the inactions of politicians on the gun violence issue. The letter is one that could be sent almost verbatim to every Right Wing politician and self-serving politician who does not support strict gun control. One gets pushback when one mentions gun control. They say the phrase creates a backlash. With America becoming a killing field by gun-wielding evil mostly men, it is time.
Here is the letter.
Dear Governor Abbott,
Our job is to be good students. Your job is to keep us safe. You have failed at your job. Like so many politicians cozy with the NRA, you have steadfastly opposed any reasonable measures that might protect us from gun violence. Instead, you’ve signed dangerous policies to force public colleges in Texas to allow guns on campus and make it legal to openly carry firearms in public. You’ve continued to push the notion that guns everywhere for everyone make us safer. By that logic, shouldn’t we be among the safest states in the nation?
In the past, you’ve tweeted that you were embarrassed that Texas was second in the nation on gun sales—and that Texans needed to step up and buy more guns. A few months later, you said that gun violence was happening because of “hearts without God.” Do you think that the children who were shot in class this week died because they hadn’t prayed enough? What about the 26 who were killed while they were worshiping in Sutherland Springs? Do you think they are to blame, rather than yourself and other politicians who refuse to allow even a meaningful discourse on reasonable gun violence prevention policies?
We were happy to hear you mention background checks and responsible gun storage when you spoke on Friday. But here’s the thing: Words only matter if they’re followed by action. And you have no track record of fighting for anyone other than the NRA. The majority of gun owners support laws that disarm domestic abusers or require a criminal background check on all gun sales. Do you?
Why is our safety less important than the check you get from the NRA? We know that common sense gun laws make us safer. Since January 2009, Texas has experienced at least 20 mass shootings—more than any other state in the country. Do you think that a culture of guns everywhere and our lax gun laws might have something to do with that?
You’ve said that straying from Jesus is the cause of gun violence. Well, let this be your “come to Jesus” moment. Children are dying. We’re being shot and killed in our classrooms, homes, movie theaters—even as we walk home from school. We have become collateral damage in a country whose lawmakers refuse to stand up to people who just want to sell more guns—regardless of the body count.
We appreciate your thoughts and prayers, but without policy change, this crisis will not end. And what we’re asking for isn’t unreasonable. In fact, most Texans, gun owners and even NRA members support common sense gun laws.
You’ve met with the NRA in the past, and just a few weeks ago you spoke at the organization’s annual meeting. We’d like a chance to speak with you, too. To tell you how it feels to go to school everyday terrified that we won’t come home. To ask you to be brave enough to stand up for public safety instead of pandering to the gun lobby, and work with Texans who, frankly, are terrified.
We are dying on your watch. What will you do about it?
Sincerely,
Jack K., Austin March for Our Lives organizer
Kari S., Austin March for Our Lives organizer
Matthew H., Austin March for Our Lives organizer
Sydney D., Woodlands-based member of Students Demand Action
Olivia N., Woodlands-based member of Students Demand Action
Alanna M., Southlake-based member of Students Demand Action
Katie S., Southlake-based member of Students Demand Action
Kristen K., Dallas-based member of Students Demand Action
Rebecca F., Woodlands-based member of Students Demand Action
Paige C., Houston March for Our Lives Organizer
Marcel M., Houston March for Our Lives Organizer
Madie L., Houston March for Our Lives Organizer
Manju B., Houston March for Our Lives Organizer
Lorena S., Round Rock, Williamson County March for Our Lives Organizer
Jacquelyn K., McKinney March for our Lives Organizer
Minha V. Plano-based member of Students Demand Action
Waed A., Dallas March for Our Lives Organizer, StudentsMarch.org
Rebecca T., Dallas March for Our Lives Organizer, StudentsMarch.org
Sela G., Dallas March for Our Lives Organizer, StudentsMarch.org
Azhalia L., Dallas March for Our Lives Organizer, StudentsMarch.org
Sophie C., Dallas March for Our Lives Organizer, StudentsMarch.org
Logan K., Dallas March for Our Lives Organizer, StudentsMarch.org
Chet M., Dallas March for Our Lives Organizer, StudentsMarch.org
Ashley L., Dallas March for Our Lives Organizer, StudentsMarch.org
William M., Dallas March for Our Lives Organizer, StudentsMarch.org
Ava T., Dallas March for Our Lives Organizer, StudentsMarch.org
Arlene G., Dallas March for Our Lives Organizer, StudentsMarch.org
Abby T., Dallas March for Our Lives Organizer, StudentsMarch.org
Phoebe M., Dallas March for Our Lives Organizer, StudentsMarch.org
Nyasha M., Dallas March for Our Lives Organizer, StudentsMarch.org
Claire C., Dallas March for Our Lives Organizer, StudentsMarch.org
Samira C., College Station March for Our Lives Organizer
Parker H., Denton March for Our Lives Organizer
Rachel W., San Antonio March For Our Lives Organizer
Sophia M., San Antonio March For Our Lives Organizer
Bailey K., Corpus Christi March for Our Lives Organizer
Isabel O., Corpus Christi March for Our Lives Organizer
Gabriella B., Corpus Christi March for Our Lives Organizer
Lillie Z., Corpus Christi March for Our Lives Organizer
Madeleine D., Corpus Christi March for Our Lives Organizer
Elaine Z., Plano-based member of Students Demand Action
Please make sure and share to all of your 2nd amendment friends. The letter is well written and just may touch a few.