Gun cultists like the NRA, Fox News, and Republican political hacks repeatedly claim that the more guns we have, the safer we’ll be.
Some facts:
- There are at least 400 million guns in America. (And counting — gun companies manufacture tens of thousands more every day.)
- Meanwhile, our current population is 333 million.
- That makes the United States the only country on the entire planet with more guns than people. (No other country has even half as many guns per capita as we do.)
- Yet we endure more mass shootings than all other developed countries combined. It’s not even close.
- And guns have become the leading cause of death for children in our country. Not disease. Not malnutrition. Not accidents. (Auto accidents had been the leading cause of death among children for decades until overtaken by guns in 2020.)
Do you feel safer? Do you think your kids, or grandchildren, are safer?
Last week, President Biden addressed the nation, imploring Congress to act:
“Enough, enough. It’s time for each of us to do our part. For the children we’ve lost. For the children we can save. For the nation we love.”
The House of Representatives is expected to vote this week on a bill — the Protecting Our Kids Act — that would:
- Raise the minimum age for buying semi-automatic rifles (like the AR-15-style assault weapons used by many mass shooters) from 18 to 21.
- Ban the sale of high-capacity magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.
- Update prohibitions on untraceable firearms (a.k.a. “ghost guns”) and strengthen requirements for the safe storage of guns.
These are commonsense reforms that Americans — Democrats and Republicans — support by overwhelming margins.
Tell your representative and every other member of Congress:
As President Biden asked a hurt and weary nation, “How much more carnage are we willing to accept? How many more innocent American lives must be taken before we say: Enough. Enough.” Pass the commonsense gun safety measures in the Protecting Our Kids Act without delay.
Add your name now.
Thank you for taking action.
For progress,
- Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen
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