John–

When I joined this movement in March 2013, Moms Demand Action was just a few months old. The gun lobby had so much influence on Congress that even a quarter of all Democrats were supported by the NRA.

We refused to accept that change wasn't possible.

So we started working in school boards, city councils, and statehouses to pass gun safety laws and get action that would help save lives.

Now, with almost 10 million supporters, we're bigger than the NRA. Just a few months ago, we were able to get Congress to pass a major federal gun safety law for the first time in nearly 30 years.

We've come a long way since Shannon Watts founded Moms Demand Action in December 2012. But we still have plenty of work to do: Read Shannon Watts's interview with Vox to learn how our movement is winning the fight to end gun violence and what we do next.

In the nearly ten years I've known Shannon, we've been through plenty of highs and lows. What started as a ragtag army of moms has grown to become a powerful movement. We've changed the conversation on gun safety in this country while keeping the NRA from advancing some of its biggest and most dangerous priorities. And now, we stand side-by-side with lawmakers as they take long-overdue action to save lives.

That change has been incremental, and at times, frustratingly slow.

But we've proven that, in the long run, this is how we win: By tackling this crisis on all fronts, through whatever ways we can.

In many ways, our work has only just begun. Over 110 people are still being shot and killed and hundreds more wounded by guns in this country every single day. We still have plenty of challenges ahead of us, including major elections happening this November, where gun safety will once again be on the ballot.

But If the last nine years have taught me anything, it's that we will never fail to meet the challenge. We'll elect leaders who will protect our progress and take new action to save lives. We'll continue to dare to believe that a future free from gun violence is possible.

Because, thanks to this committed army of mothers, we already know that dream has a real chance of becoming a reality.

Thank you for being a part of this movement.

Aimee Tavares
She/Her/Hers
Senior National Organizing Director
Moms Demand Action