We want to be very clear, the horrific tragedy in Nashville on Monday is a gun problem.

We aim to honor the irreplaceable lives lost, respect those grieving and living with new-found trauma, and all those directly impacted. Today, we are acknowledging the three children who will never see their 10th birthday and the three adults who died at their place of employment.

Hallie Scruggs, 9

Evelyn Dieckhaus, 9

William Kinney, 9

Katherine Koonce, 60

Mike Hill, 61

Cynthia Peak, 61

While it is unclear how the shooter identified, we feel the latest attack against the transgender community is both distracting and unnecessary from the problem at hand. The preventable gun violence epidemic our elected officials are allowing to continue.

Rather than perpetuate harmful stereotypes and distract from the true root of the problem–guns–we are here to remind you that mass shootings can be prevented, John. By diverting attention from the need for comprehensive gun violence prevention measures, these unfounded accusations only serve to further stigmatize an already vulnerable community and hinder progress towards meaningful change. We must reject this narrative and focus on enacting policies that prioritize public safety first and foremost.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: It’s the guns.

Add your name to our petition urging our representatives to keep kids safe from weapons of war.

It’s long past time for true change and that can only come through policy.

Dylan O’Connor (he/him)

PS: Please consider donating to our lifesaving work so that our children go to school without fear of losing their lives.