Dear John,
Eight years ago today, a gunman shot and killed 20 young children and six educators at Sandy Hook School in Newtown, Connecticut.
My mom, Principal Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung, was gunned down trying to protect her students and staff.
Since that terrible day, it's been eight years of mourning, but also eight years of fighting for an end to gun violence. Eight years ago, I made a pledge to never stop fighting. And now I'm asking you: Will you join me and pledge to fight for an end to gun violence in 2021?
I'm fighting for an end to the gun violence that kills more than 100 Americans every day and wounds hundreds more. I'm fighting for an end to the gun lobby's control over our elected leaders. I'm fighting for a future where our children are not traumatized by monthly active shooter drills. And I'm fighting for a future in which our concerts and bars, our houses of worship, and places of work are safe from the threat of gun violence.
After the shooting at Sandy Hook School, Congress had a chance to enact a strong background checks bill to help prevent future tragedies. But NRA-backed politicians blocked it. And then the same thing happened after the tragic shooting in Las Vegas. And Parkland. And El Paso. And Dayton. And so many others. And as a result, the daily gun violence in this country persists and far too many families are left to face tragedy.
But John, the work that we have done this year has put momentum on our side. This year, we have elected the strongest gun safety presidential ticket in history with President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Not only have we defeated the NRA's greatest ally in the White House, but our movement is positioned to fight for real gun safety reform with President Biden in office.
In 2021, we're going to keep up the fight to end gun violence in America, and I need to know if you're still with us: John, pledge to stand alongside me as we fight to break the NRA's hold on power and end gun violence in 2021.
Thank you for continuing to fight alongside me,
Erica Lafferty
Everytown Survivor Network