Dear John, Like Gyl Switzer, executive director of Texas Gun Sense, all of our incredible grassroots state gun violence prevention leaders are crying out loud today—and every day of every year—for stronger gun laws to keep our communities safe. After yesterday's horrific shooting that we now know killed 20 and injured 26, Gyl wrote: Our hearts go out to those affected by this shooting in El Paso, TX and we stand with them in this tragedy and later in trying to understand and prevent such senseless violence. She added: Gun violence is a public health crisis in Texas. Texas Gun Sense advocates for commonsense evidence-based policies that reduce gun injuries and deaths. Every incident like the shooting in El Paso is an indication that action is needed now in communities across the state. For crying out loud! So far in 2019, there have been substantially more mass murders by gun in this country than there have been days of the year. And, of course, that doesn’t count the gun deaths that result from suicide, community violence, domestic violence, and unintentional shootings. And it certainly doesn’t count the vast quantity of gun injuries. Our state leaders in Texas and across the United States are crying out loud today and every day, for universal background checks. They are crying out loud for permits to purchase guns. For safe gun storage. Against open gun carry. Against large capacity magazines for ammunition. They are crying out loud for commonsense gun laws and commonsense safety legislation to protect our families, our loved ones, our communities from the public health emergency now gripping our nation. Thank you for standing with us, Karen Abrams, Interim Executive Director States United to Prevent Gun Violence Check out what your state is doing to end gun violence! | 