The Gathered Life

JPANet: The Time is Now to Address Gun Violence

This is a critical week in the U.S. Senate for legislation that would begin to address the terrible toll of gun violence in this nation. For the first time since 1994, we have the opportunity to pass meaningful, sensible legislation to help end gun violence.

While tragic incidents of gun violence like the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Aurora, Colorado, Oak Creek Wisconsin and Tucson draw national headlines, in many communities across the country, the impact of gun violence is a day-to-day reality that rarely draws attention or action.

Since the shooting at Sandy Hook in December of last year, more than 3,000 women, men and children have been lost to gun violence. Take action now!

In the next several days, the Senate will debate amendments on legislation that would strengthen background checks on commercial gun sales (known as the Manchin-Toomey amendment) and strengthen anti-gun trafficking legislation. Yet even this modest proposal to strengthen background checks on commercial and online gun sales is under threat. Although the Manchin-Toomey amendment falls short of the stronger universal background check provision included in the original legislation, it is a step in the right direction.

How much longer must we wait and how many more lives must be lost before Congress takes action to help end gun violence? Contact your Senators TODAY and tell them the time is now to pass meaningful, sensible legislation to help end the scourge of gun violence. Send a letter or call the Capitol Switchboard at 202.224.3121 to be connected to your Senators.