Friend, 2021 is on track to become America's deadliest year for gun violence. So far, 11,718 lives have already been taken by senseless, preventable tragedies. 

In the last few weeks alone, parents Yasmin Perez and Gyovanny Arzuaga were shot "execution-style" in Chicago; 5-year-old Pippa Mavrakis and 13-year-old Ace Mavrakis were killed in Canton, Ohio; and 22 people were shot with a military-grade assault rifle when a group of assailants opened fire at a club in Hialeah, Florida.

The 11,718 people who have been killed are not just statistics. In the wake of their deaths, loved ones across the country are mourning the losses of parents, children and friends. Each of these victims should have woken up the next morning to live out their hopes and dreams – but bullets stole their futures in an instant.

The worst part is that these 11,718 deaths were preventable. NRA-backed politicians like Mitch McConnell have blocked all commonsense gun reform and set us up for the deadliest year yet – but now that McConnell isn't majority leader, we have a real chance to take action that will save lives.

As gun violence skyrockets throughout the country, it's more important than ever before to join our grassroots movement to ban assault weapons and save lives. That's why I've set a goal to raise $20,000 by our end-of-month fundraising deadline Saturday at midnight – and I'm counting on you to contribute:

Friend, will you donate $5 now to help us reach our $20,000 end-of-month goal, finally ban assault weapons and prevent the next mass shooting?

Thanks for helping us to prevent gun violence. I know we can build a safer future if we work together.

Gail Schwartz

Aunt of Alex Schachter, Parkland shooting victim
Chairwoman of Ban Assault Weapons NOW