June marks Gun Violence Awareness Month -- and this year, it also marks ten years since the horrific shooting at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston.

Before you read on, I hope you’ll take a moment to stand with me by adding your name in support of closing the Charleston Loophole that allowed this hateful man to purchase a gun in the first place.

A decade later, I still carry the weight of that day.

The Mother Emanuel shooting wasn’t just an act of violence -- it was an act of hate. A white supremacist joined a Bible study, sat with the faithful, and then opened fire. He murdered nine Black worshippers in a sacred place, just blocks away from my own church, Morris Brown. I knew six of the victims. I spoke at one of their funerals.

What makes this tragedy even more painful is knowing that it could have been prevented.

Due to a dangerous flaw in our federal gun laws, called the Charleston Loophole, the shooter was able to obtain a firearm before his background check was completed. Despite a prior drug arrest that should have disqualified him, the system allowed the purchase to go through.

Ever since that heartbreaking day, I’ve been fighting to pass legislation that would close the Charleston Loophole. My bill would simply give law enforcement more time to complete background checks before a gun can be sold. That’s a commonsense step and one that could save lives.

Today, I’m hoping you will add your name and stand with me in calling for action to end the Charleston Loophole and reduce gun violence in our country.

We must keep fighting for those types of commonsense gun-safety measures: Stronger background checks. Closing loopholes. Getting assault weapons off our streets. That’s how we can finally address the cycle of gun violence in our country.

I will never forget the nine lives we lost at Mother Emanuel. We honor them with action -- not just words.

Thank you for standing with me in this fight,

Jim