This email is hard to write, John.

Tomorrow is the third anniversary of the deadly shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. That means it's been three years since my little sister Carmen was murdered — just one week before her 17th birthday.

It's difficult to put into words how painful the aftermath of the massacre was for me and my family. I remember the overwhelming emptiness — and how sometimes I struggled to do more than just break down and sob. It's hard to even begin making sense of a tragedy like this, but I do know this for sure: I never want another family to have to go through what mine does.

My sister was shot four times by a shooter armed with a military-style assault weapon — and a ban on deadly assault weapons could have saved her life. So I'm asking 5,000 activists like you to sign on to this petition calling on Congress to ban assault weapons for good, before it expires at 11:59 p.m. Will you add your signature right now?

If I'm being honest, this isn't the sort of path I would have chosen for myself. Activism. Testifying in front of lawmakers. Telling my story again and again and again. 

But I have to, John. I need to do everything in my power to stop another shooting like Parkland from happening. And with President Biden and Vice President Harris in the White House, and gun safety champions in Congress, I know this is the best chance we're going to get for meaningful, lasting change.

That's why I'm urging you to join me and Brady in taking action today. In honor of the Parkland victims, including Carmen: Sign the petition demanding Congress ban assault weapons now!

This week will never be easy — but it means a lot having people like you fighting alongside me. Together, we'll move forward. 

Thank you for everything you do.

Robert Schentrup
Carmen's brother