Dear John,

This week, Minnesota endured another horrific tragedy when a shooter opened fire on Annunciation Church and Catholic School, killing two young kids and injuring 18 more early Wednesday morning. The kids, some as young as 5 years old, were praying in church pews when they were shot at through stained-glass windows.

There are no words to describe the trauma this act of violence has inflicted on the greater Minneapolis community as well as the entire state. Church and school should be safe places. During the first week of school, kids should be settling back into their routine and playing with their friends – not ducking for cover.

That same morning, I received a photo of my nearly 4-year-old grandson smiling in his pre-school classroom. I am gutted for those parents and grandparents whose children will never come home. And for the trauma these past generations continue to endure as mass school shootings proliferate.

We talk a lot about freedom in this country – freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom from government overreach – but I don’t hear enough people in Washington talking about the freedom to move safely in our communities. What about the freedom to send your child to school without fearing they might be shot? What about the freedom to pray in your place of worship without fearing for your life?

Folks, we don’t have to live this way in America. And bulletproof backpacks and arming teachers are not the answer. We must pass comprehensive, common-sense gun reforms that keep weapons of war out of our schools, off our streets and out of the hands of those struggling with mental illness. And yes, we must address mental illness too. But it is also the guns.

I’m extremely grateful to the first responders, school staff and law enforcement who undoubtedly saved lives on Wednesday, as well as the staff at HCMC and Children’s Minneapolis who treated victims. They are heroes.

Cheryl and I continue to pray for the families of the two children who were killed, the 18 victims in recovery and the Annunciation School community as they begin the long road to healing. As mothers and grandmothers, this tragedy hit especially close to home.

We are again finding strength in community. I attended a candlelit vigil with thousands of Minnesotans for the victims on Wednesday night, and while it was comforting to be around friends and members of the community, the truth is – I'm sick and tired of having to grieve the loss of our neighbors and loved ones. This has to stop. We have to demand better – for our kids, our communities and our country. So, I will promise you this – I am going to keep working to get common-sense gun reform passed in Congress. Enough is enough, and it has been for a long time.

In the meantime, take care of yourselves. Lean on one another and know that I am fighting and will continue to fight. Together, we can fight for the freedom we deserve – the freedom from gun violence.

Until next time,
 

Angie Craig

Member of Congress