John,

110 members of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, led by Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04), have called on House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to schedule votes for gun violence prevention bills as soon as possible.¹

Gun violence in the United States is an epidemic. As of August 16, the U.S. has already reached 440 mass shootings—including at least 81 people killed in 65 mass shootings just in July.² The number of children and teenagers killed by gun violence in the U.S. increased by 50% from 2019 to 2021, with homicides involving guns accounting for 60% of all deaths among children and teens in 2021.³

This is completely and totally unacceptable and Congress must act now. To not do so would be a dereliction of duty.

Too many Americans are being senselessly gunned down across the nation. Congress must pass a federal assault weapons ban now. Sign now to take action >>

The U.S. had a federal assault weapons ban that was in place—with bipartisan support—from 1994 to 2004, when it was allowed to expire. The risk of a person in the U.S. dying in a mass shooting was 70% lower during those 10 years the ban was in place.⁴

Assault weapons—like those once restricted by the ban—were used in most of the horrific massacres including at Sandy Hook in 2012, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL in 2018 and Uvalde, TX in 2022. With easy access to military-style semi-automatic assault weapons and high capacity magazines, too many individuals have filled our schools, malls, concerts, movie theaters, places of worship, stores, parades, and other public spaces with terror, devastation, and terrible loss.

Thoughts and prayers from our elected leaders aren’t enough. We need bold action. 81%, or 8 in 10, murders in the U.S. involved a firearm—the highest percentage since at least 1968.

Join us today in calling on Congress to save lives and stop the carnage by passing a federal assault weapons ban.

Thank you for all you do,

Deborah Weinstein
Executive Director, Coalition on Human Needs

¹ Thompson Leads Gun Violence Prevention Task Force in Calling on Speaker McCarthy to Schedule Votes on Gun Violence Prevention Legislation
² Gun Violence Archive
³ Gun deaths among U.S. children and teens rose 50% in two years
⁴ What the data says about gun deaths in the U.S.