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John, after 17 people were murdered at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in the 2018 Parkland massacre, many of us in the gun safety movement prayed that our government would finally take decisive action against gun violence. After all, a 19-year-old had legally purchased an AR-15-style weapon of war and unleashed it on his classmates and teachers – surely something had to change. And yet, more than five years later the USA is on pace for a record number of mass shootings in 2023. John, you may be wondering how our elected officials could continue to let this happen. I’m enraged – but not surprised – to read the latest Vanity Fair report that former President Trump gave the NRA “veto power” over its official response to the Parkland shooting. It’s yet another example of how the GOP will do anything to keep the gun lobby happy – as long as the cash keeps rolling into their campaigns (the NRA spent over $30 million to help elect Trump in 2016). As a mother, a Christian, and someone who’s been personally impacted by gun violence, I truly don’t know how these people sleep at night. Imagine making concessions and cozying up to the NRA as their policies result in children getting gunned down at school. The thought makes me sick. However, we can’t sit back on our hands and do nothing about it. I'm leading the fight to force a vote on the House floor on crucial legislation such as an assault weapons ban. Can you make a donation to my campaign right now to support me in my efforts?DONATE NOW John, the Parkland shooting was a key factor in my decision to run for Congress in the first place. I was exhausted from watching our government continue to sit on its hands as gun violence ravaged our country. Pundits told me that trying to flip a district red-to-blue while running on a platform of gun violence prevention was untenable, but I knew my community better. I ran because I knew the power the NRA has over our lawmakers is what keeps America from making meaningful progress on preventing gun violence. We need strong leadership that won’t cave into big-money lobbyists at all levels of government. The Vanity Fair piece said, “Several ex-officials from the Trump era expect NRA lobbyists will effectively be in charge of school safety in a Trump 2.0 administration.” We simply can’t allow this to happen. The GOP saw me as a threat, and they’ve tried their hardest to knock me out of Congress as a result. Well, I’m still here, and I’m not going to stop beating the drum on this issue anytime soon. Onward, Lucy McBath
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