Today is National Gun Violence Awareness Day, so I wanted to take a minute to tell you why I’m dedicated to the fight against gun violence, and why I’m determined to enact gun safety laws in New Mexico that have the power to save lives.

I believe with all my heart that children shouldn’t have to worry about an active shooter at school, workers shouldn’t need to fear being shot in the workplace, and families deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods. But right now, that’s not the case in our state.

Here in New Mexico, we are suffering from a gun death rate higher than the national average. It’s an issue anyone seeking to lead our state must be ready to address head-on. From the recent mass shooting in Las Cruces to the fatal shooting of a Bloomfield police officer earlier this week, our neighborhoods become less safe when dangerous weapons fall into the wrong hands.

We must take action at the state level to keep guns out of the hands of people who should never have a gun. We need 100% background checks. We must close loopholes. And we need major funding for behavioral health programs that are accessible to everyone. I know not every person will agree with me, but I refuse to shy away from the solutions that have the power to save lives.

The NRA gave me an “F” rating both times I ran for Congress, and you can be sure the gun lobby will be ready to spend massive sums of money to defeat our grassroots campaign for governor.

Will you make a $5 contribution to our campaign today? The best way we can overcome their inevitable smears and attack ads is to fully fund our campaign so we can spread our message to as many New Mexicans as possible.

Donate $5 »

Look, as someone raised in a military family, I understand the importance of preserving our Second Amendment rights. But I believe that is still possible while enacting commonsense gun safety measures that keep weapons of war off of our streets.

While I served in Congress, I voted for the Enhanced Background Checks Act, Bipartisan Background Checks Act, and I proudly cosponsored the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. As governor of New Mexico, I will be a fierce fighter for smart policies that keep the people and communities we love safe and free from the threat of gun violence.

If you’re with me, please make a $5 contribution to our campaign so we can spread our message to voters across New Mexico, win this competitive race, and build a safer future for our state.

Together, we can end the epidemic of gun violence.

Yours,

Deb