Let me ask you, friend:
How many more?
How many more school shootings will I have to write to you about before we as a country do something about gun violence in America?
Four years ago today, a mass school shooting that took the lives of 17 children in Parkland, Florida shook the core of our country. And since that day, nearly every attempt to enact common-sense legislation meant to protect our young people from gun violence has been derailed.
Since Parkland, the National Rifle Association has lobbied at a reckless pace to put a chokehold on gun legislation. Families of gun violence victims have been pleading to Congress to keep weapons of war out of our neighborhoods, churches, theaters, and schools for years now, but special interest groups keep getting in the way of progress.
Thoughts and prayers are not going to prevent the next national tragedy -- we need policy and action that ends gun violence in America.
I won't stop fighting for the safety of our children, and that includes fighting for commonsense gun legislation. If you're with me -- if you're with our children and their safety, sign on to my petition to send a message to Congress.
Lobbying groups don't want you to know how much they are spending to influence our politics behind the scenes, but luckily for us the NRA's lobbying expenditures are a Google search away.
A year before the Parkland shooting, the NRA spent $3.6 million to lobby gun rights in Congress –
a record high for them at the time.
A year after Parkland, the NRA began spending as much as $5 million annually to push the families of gun violence victims aside and gain the direct attention of lawmakers.
While no single piece of legislation will completely stop gun violence, that isn't a reason to do absolutely nothing in the face of tragedy after tragedy. Our children are counting on leaders to actually lead and take action.
On the 4th anniversary of one of the deadliest school shootings in our history, join me in the fight to put an end to gun violence by signing our petition.
In solidarity,
Antonio
