Going Gungho: Promoting Common Sense Gun Legislation

It is unconscionable that as a nation we’ve had to bear witness to yet another mass shooting. The Parkland shooting on Valentine’s Day at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School ranks among the top ten deadliest in U.S. history. The statistics are staggering: Three of the top five mass shootings have occurred in the last year and a half.

By now, we know the background of the shooter. What remains unbelievable is that this young man was able to purchase an AR-15 rifle with which to carry out his crime. He is only 19. He had a record of mental disabilities. Yet, in Florida it is legal for him to purchase a rifle, but not a handgun. Florida does not require a permit, a license, nor even a three-day waiting period.

Therein lies the rub. There are massive disparities between states where gun laws are concerned. As a nation we must work to close these gaps to ensure the safety and security of people in public or private venues against those who would seek to do harm using firearms.

In this time of darkness, rage and grief, there is light. Students are rising up. They are organizing, staging lie-ins, walkouts and protests across the country. They have a hashtag, #NeverAgain.

Read more: As much as there are those who would argue to the contrary, common sense gun legislation saves lives. Take time to check this Science Alert Columbia University Study on Mass Shootings

CALL TO ACTION FEDERAL: Copy and paste the letter below to your U.S. Senators via their email or use Resistbot by texting “resist” to 50409. You can also call them. Tell them to Oppose CCR.

Script: “Concealed carry reciprocity, the gun lobby’s top priority legislation, would weaken state gun laws and override the standards that states have set for who can carry hidden, loaded guns in public. Right now, each state has different standards for who can carry a concealed gun in public. CCR would force each state to accept the concealed carry standards of every other state, even states that have weak standards or no standards at all. Twelve states don’t require a permit or background check, while other states allow domestic abusers or people convicted of violent misdemeanors to concealed carry. As your constituent, I am asking you to oppose CCR S. 446.” (CCR passed the House (H.R. 38). Senate has not yet voted on its version of CCR (S. 446).)

Pennsylvania U.S. Senators

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa.

Call: 610-782-9470; 202-224-6324

Email: https://www.casey.senate.gov/contact

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa.

Call: 610-434-1444; 202-224-4254

Email: https://www.toomey.senate.gov/?p=contact

New Jersey U.S. Senators

Cory A. Booker D-NJ

Call: 202-224-3224

Email: info@booker.senate.gov

Bob Menendez D-NJ

Call: 202-224-4744

Email: Senator_Menendez@menendez.senate.gov

CALL TO ACTION PENNSYLVANIA:Copy and paste the letter below to your State Senators via their email or use Resistbot by texting “resist” to 50409. You can also call them. Tell them to Support SB 501.

Script: “Currently under PA law, an abuser subject to a final Protection from Abuse order need not relinquish firearms unless ordered by the court, and that happens in only 14 percent of cases. Abusers convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence are required to turn in their firearms but are given 60 days to do so. And current law permits abusers to choose the third party who will “safeguard” their firearms. SB 501 has bipartisan support and is widely backed by law enforcement. The bill requires dangerous domestic abusers to turn in firearms to law enforcement or licensed gun dealers within 48 hours of either a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction or being placed under a Final Protection from Abuse order. As your constituent, I am asking you to support SB501 and send it to the floor for a vote.” (SB 501 is currently held up in the Senate Judiciary Committee.)

Sen. Alloway

Call: (717) 787-4651

Email: alloway@pasen.gov

Sen. Scarnati

Call: (717) 787-7084

Email: jscarnati@pasen.gov

Sen. Eichelberger

Call: (717) 787-5490

Email: jeichelberger@pasen.gov

Sen. Gordner

Call: (717) 787-8928

Email: jgordner@pasen.gov