Nearly three decades ago, my step-brother was shot and killed. And every year, dozens of my neighbors in Oakland are gunned down in the streets. I’ve been to more funerals than I can count, John – and I'm beyond fed up.

As I write to you, our country has seen over 500 mass shootings in 2023. Sadly, that number likely doesn't shock you anymore – somehow, this epidemic has become a part of our daily lives.

But John, this is no way to live.

We are the only developed country in the world where parents send their kids to school with the fear they won't return. Where our public spaces like parks and movie theaters are turned into sites of national tragedy. But nonetheless, Republicans continue to block all efforts to end this.

Every day, I fight tooth and nail with my colleagues to pass commonsense, lifesaving gun safety reforms. I'm not afraid to stand up to the NRA, and I'm proud to say that they've given me an "F" rating. But today, I'm asking for your help.

Assault rifles like AR-15s, used to kill as many people as quickly as possible, have no place in our communities. I've called for these weapons to be banned since 2003, and countless other times after the tragic shootings in Uvalde and at Pulse.

Right now, I need at least 5,000 people to stand with me before midnight and sign my petition to ban assault weapons. But John, I'm still missing your signature. Please: Will you add your name to my petition to call on Congress to ban assault weapons?

Thank you for joining me in the fight against this senseless crisis.

– Barbara Lee