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Two years ago, a gunman armed with an AR-15 entered Club Q, an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado Springs, CO, and killed five people and injured 25 others in a matter of minutes. This horrific tragedy at a safe haven for the city’s gay community was made more deadly by the weapon that was used: A weapon of war that has no place in nightclubs, grocery stores, nor churches – but until Congress takes action to ban deadly assault weapons, no community is safe.
ADD YOUR NAME to demand Congress finally ban assault weapons and save lives. >>
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John,
Two years ago, patrons entered Club Q in Colorado Springs, CO, ready to dance the night away with friends and chosen family. Instead, a hate-filled gunman opened fire on the gay nightclub and killed five people and injured 25 more.
This targeted shooting was carried out with an assault rifle because of its deadly design, created to kill as many people as possible, as quickly as possible.
In an instant, the gay community of Colorado Springs was changed forever. The shooter was only stopped because two heroic people confronted and disarmed him, preventing further, unimaginable tragedy.
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It should not be on the shoulders of everyday citizens to stop the bloodshed caused by assault weapons with their bare hands. It is the duty of our lawmakers to protect us all by banning these weapons of war. Yet, two years later, they’ve still failed to take action.
In honor of the lives lost and changed forever at Club Q, please join me in calling on Congress to ban assault weapons and finally save lives:
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This tragedy was yet another devastating reminder that the same places we call safe havens can become targets for deadly, hateful violence because of America’s gun violence epidemic. Eight years ago, another refuge for the gay community was targeted when a gunman shot and killed 49 people, injuring 53 others, at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, FL – the deadliest hate crime committed against LGBTQ+ people in modern U.S. history.
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Hatred is an undeniably dark part of our world and in the United States, it’s made deadly with unfettered access to weapons of war. Hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community have risen in past years, while hate crimes against transgender and non-gender-conforming people nearly doubled. This threat of violence is part of the reason why queer spaces are so important and sacred – and why we must strive to protect them now more than ever.
People seeking safe spaces for their communities should not wonder if they will get out of them alive. We cannot sit idly by while vulnerable communities are at risk of more violence. I've had enough and I know you have too. John, will you add your name to our petition and urge Congress to take action?
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Thank you for taking action today, John.
Hannah Litman
Senior Digital Fundraising Manager
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