“[Protesters openly carrying assault rifles] are one poorly managed impulse away from tragedy.”

“Those men told me they were there to protect outsiders from burning their town. In reality, they were there to scare those they viewed as less than them. Those people were Black, brown, elderly, women, and children.”

“For those of us that have experienced the trauma of gun violence, [an openly-carried gun] is especially re-traumatizing and terrifying.”

How can anyone feel safe organizing a march if they have to prepare for the possibility of armed groups showing up?”

These are just a few of the powerful words lawmakers heard last week from people testifying in support of rejecting armed intimidation and limiting open carry at protests and the state capitol.

Armed intimidation has no place in our communities. Openly-carried weapons at public demonstrations inspire fear, chill free speech, and increase the threat of violence. And when guns are involved a situation can turn deadly in the blink of an eye. No one should have to suffer armed intimidation to make their voice heard.

We were deeply moved when one testifier asked: “I have withstood this because my voice deserves to be heard. But I wonder, how many others have shut up and stayed home?”

We are fighting for the ones that stay home. We are fighting because no one—especially no gun violence survivor—should have to withstand the trauma and danger of walking through a crowd of armed protesters to fight for commonsense gun laws. So are you.

David is right, John. It IS ridiculous that survivors of gun violence are forced to stand up to fight for policies to end this epidemic. We will not let them carry that burden alone. Please, donate now so we can honor all those impacted by gun violence by passing lifesaving gun safety laws.

Dylan (he/him)