It’ll be five years tomorrow, John.

Five years since my beloved hometown of Orlando, Florida, was left devastated by the shooting at Pulse nightclub. That night, 49 irreplaceable human beings were murdered, and 53 others were wounded, all because somebody got their hands on an assault weapon — a weapon of war — that never should have been in our community.

Whenever I think about that night, I find myself thinking about how it was supposed to be a celebration. It was a night where friends and loved ones could come together and simply be themselves — a night to dance, to sing, to feel irrepressible joy.

Instead, that night ended with the deadliest mass shooting in our nation's history at the time. 

As a Floridian and as an elected official, thinking about days like tomorrow is tough, John — because we can and must do more. But I also know that as an elected official, the best way to honor those murdered is by recommitting ourselves to ending gun violence and holding the gun lobby and their paid-for politicians accountable. That’s why I’m joining Brady today to demand common-sense gun safety reforms that will save lives. And I’m asking you to add your name alongside mine.

It isn't lost on me that we're taking on this fight during Pride Month — a celebration born out of strife and protest. This battle we're waging, the battle for Americans to live their lives free from the stomach-turning threat of gun violence, is part of the larger American struggle to live in safety and dignity.

We know in our hearts that this is not the more perfect union we are in pursuit of. We also know that the American public is on our side — a bipartisan majority of Americans support an assault weapons ban. This isn't about winning the people's support — we already have that. It's about taking on the gun lobby, and their paid politicians like Mitch McConnell, who'd rather take their money than protect our communities.

We have unprecedented momentum in Washington for our cause. But we’re going to need your help — and your voice — to turn that momentum into meaningful change. That's why I'm personally asking you today: John, will you honor those who were killed at Pulse by joining me and Brady in the fight for common-sense gun safety reform? No action is too small. No voice is unimportant.

The tragedy of the Pulse shooting will remain with me, and with everyone in my hometown and Florida’s 10th District, for as long as we live. We work in their honor to make the world a safer, more just place for our families and our loved ones. For the 49 people at Pulse, and for all those across our country who have lost their lives to senseless gun violence, let's get to work.

With my very best,

Congresswoman Val Demings