Bullets and Ballots: Demanding Common-Sense Gun Control
I'm a mother living in Aurora, Colorado. A beautiful, friendly city, full of promise and life, yet haunted by death.
Twenty-four years ago, mothers like me—some living nearby—received a phone call that would forever change their lives. They rushed to Columbine High School to reunite with their children after two students opened fire. For 13 families, that moment would never come.
I remember this day. I was young, but I remember the horror on the adult’s faces around me. The shocked tones, the mourning. I only remember that deep fear and sadness repeating once more in my childhood: Sept. 11, 2001. As I’ve grown, mass shootings have become so common that they are relegated to a 30-second app notification. Every time I get the same sinking feeling. I can’t open the article when it involves children. Because the truth is, I'm terrified. I’m terrified for the future of this country. I’m terrified that my daughter will have to grow up without a mother or a father because someone had easy access to a gun. I’m utterly, profoundly terrified that I will get the call those mothers, who were just like me, did in 1999.
I'm not alone in my fear. A recent poll found that 60% of Colorado voters support stricter gun control laws. But despite this overwhelming public support, our elected officials have refused to act. Every day that passes, we become more and more numb to the nightmare around us, but we cannot give in to complacency. This issue is just too important.
It’s also within our rights and our ability to do something to protect our children and our communities. We must call on our elected officials to pass common-sense gun control laws.
Here are just a few reasonable gun control measures that are widely supported:
92% of Americans support…universal background checks: ensuring that everyone who buys a gun is properly screened.
60% of Americans support…a ban on assault weapons: banning a weapon inherently designed to kill as many people as possible, as fast as possible.
52% of Americans support…a ban on high-capacity magazines: banning magazines that allow shooters to fire more bullets without reloading.
Why hasn't anything changed if so many Americans (and Coloradoans) support reasonable gun control? It’s simple. The minority is well-funded, well-organized, and loud. They have successfully blocked many attempts to pass stricter gun control laws since it first came to the public attention. The only solution is to be louder.
Here’s how.
Identify your lawmakers and gather contact information: Determine who represents you at the local, state, and national levels. Once you know your lawmakers, collect their contact information, including phone numbers, email addresses, and mailing addresses. These details are often available on their official websites or through online directories.
Prepare your message: Before contacting your lawmakers, clearly articulate the purpose of your communication. Be specific about the issue you want to discuss, state your position or concerns, and include any relevant facts or personal experiences.
Reach out:
If you decide to call your lawmakers, dial the provided phone number for their office. A staff member will likely answer the call. Introduce yourself, mention that you are a constituent, and explain the purpose of your call. Clearly state your position or request. They may ask you a few questions—it’s ok if you don’t want to respond. Thank them for their time and request follow-up from the Member of Congress.
If you prefer written communication, follow a similar introduction, clearly state the purpose of your message, present your arguments or concerns, and request follow-up. Be sure to send your email directly to the provided email address of your lawmaker's office.
If you are mailing a physical letter, ensure you have the correct mailing address and sufficient postage. Some lawmakers also provide online forms on their websites for submitting messages.
Follow up: You know gun lobbyists are. If your lawmaker doesn’t take action, vote them out. It’s that simple.
Twenty-four years ago, my neighbors lost everything, and the nation said, “Never again.” We owe it to our past, our present, and our future to put an end to gun violence.
