Today’s Action: Tell Congress to expand background checks, pass red flag laws, and ban assault weapons

Every day, 100 Americans die from guns. Tragedy of this scale deserves an answer – yet time and time again, our leaders fail to act to save the lives that WILL be lost in the next shooting, and countless others that will live on with the grief of family members gone and communities scarred.

Months ago, the House passed legislation to create universal background checks for gun purchases. Since then, it has sat in the Senate as Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) refuses to allow a vote, despite broad support from Americans across the political spectrum.

While McConnell stalls, Democrats continue to move forward, with “red flag” legislation to empower families and law enforcement to remove firearms from the hands of individuals at risk of harming themselves or others… an initiative widely backed by Democratic and Republican voters alike.

Call or email your Senators and demand they pass HR 8, the Background Checks Act of 2019. And, tell ALL of your Members of Congress to cosponsor and support red flag laws (H.R.3076/S.506) and pass a ban on assault weapons.

The August 31 mass shooting in Odessa, TX that killed seven and wounded 20 may well have been prevented by an improved background check system, as the shooter purchased his gun via private sale (no background check) after being blocked on a previous purchase for being deemed mentally unfit. A Washington State study found that 1-in-10 online gun purchases were made by individuals who would have been precluded from sales by background checks due to rape, domestic violence, and other charges.

Red flag laws, meanwhile, have shown to be effective at removing firearms from individuals at high suicide risk…victims of gun violence that receive far less news coverage, but are no less worthy of protection.

And high-capacity assault weapons? They simply have to go, as there is no purpose in their design beyond murdering large numbers of people. The Southerland Springs, TX shooter, who killed 25 at a church in 2017 with a semi-automatic, managed to fire more than 450 bullets during his attack.

#NotOneMore death by gun violence.

Email or call (202.224.3121) your Senators and tell them to pass HR 8, the Background Checks Act of 2019. Tell both your Senators AND your Representative to cosponsor and support red flag laws (H.R.3076/S.506) PLUS a ban on assault-style weapons.