Friend,

Gun violence has plagued this country for decades. Year after year, month after month – week after week, even – and yet another mass shooting is in the headlines. We mourn. We get angry. We organize for action only to be met with inaction by those who are supposed to do something. 

I've witnessed far too many of these tragedies, and now that we have majorities in both chambers of Congress – and President Biden in the White House – the time for inaction is over. 

President Biden put out an unequivocal call to reauthorize a ban on assault weapons in the wake of this most recent tragedy. I couldn't agree with him more. Civilians being allowed to possess weapons of war – assault weapons – has made mass shootings deadlier. In some states it's easier to attain an assault weapon than it is to vote or even to buy cough medicine. It is long past time we get them off our streets. 

Today I'm asking you to join me in standing with President Biden. Please sign my petition calling on Congress to pass an assault weapons ban. There's never been a more urgent time for action, so I'm counting on 477 petition signatures before midnight tonight. Please add your name now:

The GOP will tell you now is not the time. They will offer up the same old thoughts and prayers and decry grassroots action as political theater. But we will rise above their posturing. We will rise above and deliver on action that the American people have demanded time and time again. Thank you for speaking out.

Congresswoman Val Demings