John—

I often pray. It's a key part of who I am and how I practice my faith, and a way in which many people in America cultivate empathy and love for one another.

But John, I know that our elected lawmakers owe us more than just their thoughts and prayers. They owe us action. Tell your U.S. senators: Take action on background checks.

For years, "thoughts and prayers" have been the only thing that the NRA and its allies in Congress have offered in response to gun violence. Their inaction does a disservice to their communities and constituents. And by not acting, they undermine the sincerity of the thoughts and prayers they have so readily offered.

In Sikhi—the religious community to which I belong—there is a long history of civic participation. The teachings of the founders of our faith call on all Sikhs to actively take on work that will reduce suffering and seek justice. They tell us that we must grow ourselves spiritually while extending our love beyond ourselves.

And John, that love beyond ourselves—a teaching present in many religious communities—needs to be defined by action. That's especially true when it comes to our elected lawmakers, the people who we have chosen and trust to act.

That's why I'm joining with members of the Everytown Faith Advisory Council to demand more than thoughts and prayers from our elected lawmakers. Because while we value the importance of their words, we know they must be reinforced by action. Tell your U.S. senators today: Take action on background checks.

John, as a brown, turbaned man in America, I know conversations around religion in this country are experienced differently by marginalized groups. Members of my own faith were the victims of a hate-fueled mass shooting in 2012, and became a part of this country's ongoing history of gun violence against religious minorities in their houses of worship. Because of that history, thoughts and prayers from our elected lawmakers must be backed up by action that reduces suffering and seeks justice, especially for those most impacted.

Our lawmakers must do what we elected them to do, and give us more than just their thoughts and prayers. They must give us action. Tell your U.S. senators today: Take action on background checks.

Thank you for being a part of this movement, and thank you for showing love for others by taking action.

Simran Jeet Singh
Everytown Faith Advisory Council