John, today marks a devastating day in our nation’s history.

On this day last year, 38 people were shot at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, including 19 children and two teachers who lost their lives to senseless gun violence.

Practically an entire classroom of dreamers, learners, future leaders – gone in a flash of preventable tragedy.

As a mom, I’m heartbroken to imagine the pain and fear family members of the victims felt and continue to feel about their lost loved ones.

As the sister of two teachers, I’m devastated to see how our public educators are expected to carry unbearable trauma and daily worries about whether or not their school will be the next one under attack.

As an elected official, I’m filled with frustration that our nation failed to protect those innocent kids and teachers – along with a continuously growing list of gun violence victims.

No other country in the world has this problem to the extent that we do. That’s because other world leaders have recognized gun violence as a very real, very dangerous issue and have come together to address it with compassion and empathy.

Last year, guns became the leading cause of death for American children.

This should be a huge wake-up call to all lawmakers that we must come together, put our differences aside, and do something to protect our children, friends, neighbors, and communities.

We can’t continue to watch as countless lives are taken within seconds due to preventable gun violence.

We must take action.

— Katie