Dear John,
In light of the recent Executive Order from the current administration aiming to further protect Second Amendment rights, we must voice our deep concern for its potential to increase gun violence across the nation. At a time when an average of 132 Americans are killed with guns every single day - and firearm-related deaths are now the leading cause of death for children in the United States - rolling back commonsense safeguards is not the answer. These policy shifts will make it harder to keep firearms out of the wrong hands and could cause an uptick in an already devastating public health crisis.
The Executive Order calls for a review of all regulations and guidance from January 2021 through January 2025 that may “impinge on” Second Amendment rights. This sweeping approach ignores research-based evidence showing that measures like universal background checks and safe storage laws help reduce gun violence. Yet, these are precisely the types of laws and regulations that could be targeted under a directive that prioritizes deregulation over safety.
Adding to our concern is the closure of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, which was a critical resource for coordinating federal efforts to research, track, and address this epidemic. By shutting down the very office designed to gather data on effective gun violence intervention strategies and support communities impacted by gun violence, we are missing a vital piece in this fight. A coordinated, data-driven approach is key to creating lasting solutions; without it, local and state leaders are left with fewer resources, less federal support, and reduced access to evidence-based strategies.
It is time to tear down the political walls that prevent us from tackling gun violence like the public health crisis it is. Every day we fail to act, more lives are needlessly lost, families are shattered, and communities are traumatized. This is not about taking away rights from responsible gun owners - it is about ensuring that every person has the right to live free from fear of gun violence, whether at home, work, school, or in their own neighborhood.
Help support state based advocacy by making a direct contribution today. Together, we can push back on dangerous rollbacks and continue to champion policies that protect families, respect the Constitution, and address gun violence as the pressing national crisis it is.
In solidarity,
Gregory Joseph
Director of Communications
