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Dear Friend,

 

Our nation’s schools should be safe institutions for children to learn, play, and grow in.

 

Instead, last week in Texas, yet another elementary school became the site of a deadly mass shooting. 21 people--including 19 children--are dead after the third deadliest school shooting in modern American history.

 

I am irate. Once again, many Members of Congress have shared their surprise and anguish over this event without thinking of the role they can play in preventing something like this from happening. It is appalling to watch many of my Republican colleagues in Congress act surprised and outraged at each of these shootings when they continue to block any of the reforms needed to prevent them.

 

This issue doesn’t plague any other major developed nation on earth, it’s a conscious decision being made by radical GOP lawmakers who sacrifice the well-being of our children for the well-being of a group of fringe gun lobbyists. I am tired of grieving, I am tired of worrying for the well-being of my grandchildren. We must act. Now.

 

In 1989, I represented Cleveland Elementary School in Stockton when a madman, armed with an AK-47, killed five children and wounded 32 more. The incident led me to author California’s assault weapons ban--the first of its kind anywhere in America. My legislation became the basis for the federal assault weapons ban, which was in effect from 1994-2004 and saved countless lives.

 

Sadly, Congress allowed the federal assault weapons ban to expire, which has enabled tragedies like what we saw in Texas to occur.

 

All of us must work harder this year than we ever have to protect and expand the Democratic majorities in Congress so we can pass commonsense gun safety laws and put an end to these mass shootings.

 

Please, get involved.[ Donate and volunteer for local candidates that will stand up against the NRA.]([link removed]) Let’s work together to end the gun violence epidemic once-and-for-all. 
 

Sincerely,

JOHN GARAMENDI