Friend, moments ago, the Supreme Court officially sided with the gun lobby and handed down a decision that will drastically increase the number of concealed weapons in a staggering blow to public safety. Tens or even hundreds of thousands more people can now legally carry concealed weapons in public places.

Above all else, I’m frustrated. In the wake of multiple mass shootings over the last few weeks – and more than 250 this year alone – this decision is absolutely ABSURD.

Friend, the truth is that gun violence isn't inevitable: It's a policy choice made by public officials like Marco Rubio, who is too beholden to the gun lobby to do what's right by Floridians and the rest of the country. 

Throughout his career, Rubio has collected more than $3.3 MILLION in exchange for doing the gun lobby’s bidding – and frankly, it’s disgusting. But it doesn't have to be this way; we can pass legislation to save lives from gun violence. 

The gun violence epidemic kills thousands of Americans and Floridians every year, and it’s time we finally have a majority fighting for their safety in the Senate. That’s why I vow to never cower from or cater to the whims of the gun lobby and to instead be a fighter for gun safety reform – but I can’t continue my fight without your help.

So please, in light of this morning’s dangerous decision, will you chip in whatever you can spare to help elect me to the Senate so I can take on the gun lobby and join my Democratic colleagues in fighting for lifesaving gun safety legislation?

Make no mistake, friend, I'm not against gun ownership: I carried a gun for 27 years as a law enforcement officer, and I'm a gun owner today. But we have to take meaningful action to get guns out of the hands of dangerous people to protect our communities. 

Thank you,

Val Demings