John–
Over the past several days, communities across the country have been devastated by gun violence. In Akron, Ohio, police shot and killed Jayland Walker, a 25-year-old Black man. And on the Fourth of July, a mass shooting at a parade in Highland Park, Illinois left at least six people dead and dozens more wounded, while a shooting in Philadelphia led to hundreds of people running in fear from a concert and fireworks show.
This violence is the horrific but logical outcome of a nation awash in too many guns regulated by too few laws. The gun industry, its lawmaker allies, and the Supreme Court are making us less safe.
We can't let those in power look away from this crisis. Just last month, we showed what we can accomplish when we don't let them.
When we got the U.S. Congress to pass a major gun safety law for the first time in 26 years, we proved that through grassroots organizing and collective action, we can build political power, change the culture in this country, and ultimately win.
We have a lot more work ahead of us if we're going to end this crisis once and for all. That includes following through on a promise we made: When we saw lawmakers waver, we said that if they won't change the laws, we'll change Congress—and we meant it.
Like so many of you, I'm sick and tired of our children not being safe in schools, domestic abusers being able to obtain arsenals, and our communities being torn apart by gun violence.
The good news is that there is hope, and the momentum for change has never been stronger. Americans are supporting gun safety in record numbers. That's because gun safety isn't just good policy; it's good politics. We can pass stronger gun laws and save lives. And by electing Gun Sense Candidates at every level of government—school board, city council, state legislatures, and Congress—we can make sure we get action.
In 2018, Moms Demand Action created the Gun Sense Candidate program to help our supporters identify which candidates on their ballot will govern with gun safety in mind. Since then, we've awarded the Gun Sense Candidate distinction to thousands of candidates across the country. Candidates, including our fierce volunteers, have run on the issue of gun safety and won.
I am devastated by these horrific acts of gun violence that continue to traumatize our communities—yet I am reinvigorated by the unprecedented and unrelenting energy of our movement. Together, we can win.
Let's get to work.
Shannon Watts
She/Her/Hers
Founder
Moms Demand Action
