When I was 15 years old, I spoke at a New Yorkers Against Gun Violence rally on my first-ever trip to Albany.

I was disgusted by what I saw on the news: photos of school hallways turned into war zones, cell-phone recordings of screams and gun-shots, and an endless stream of “thoughts & prayers” tweets from leaders. I felt like I had to speak out.

But before I knew it, our nation’s problem with gun violence was more than just news clips and videos.

I was enjoying a night out with friends when I saw an automatic rifle lifted into the air. Three loud bangs rang out and I had to duck for cover behind a parked car.

Thankfully, nobody was hurt. But that jolt of adrenaline, the breathlessness, and the sudden fear that gripped me left me with a new perspective.

I know how it feels to receive a frantic text from your sister when there is an active shooter on her campus.

I can feel the pit in my stomach when I learned a close friend of mine was killed by a stray bullet walking down the street.

Gun violence is personal, and must be approached with the sense of urgency it deserves.

We need leaders who will not drag their feet or wait until the next senseless tragedy. That is why I will fight for common-sense gun safety reforms like assault weapon bans, red-flag laws, and universal background checks.

In addition, we need to focus on preventative measures like funding mental health initiatives and providing the best de-escalation training for law-enforcement.

New Yorkers deserve to be safe – and you deserve leaders who will stop at nothing to protect you and your family.

With gratitude,
Zak Malamed

Support Us