August 15, 2025

It's Not Tanks. It's Better Laws.

August usually means warm nights, beach days, BBQs, and squeezing in those last precious moments of summer. But this year, the month has also been marked by a deadly and relentless trend: at least 20 mass shootings so far. And we are only halfway through August. There have been more incidents than days in the month to date. From Chicago to Austin, Philadelphia to Atlanta, these shootings have claimed or injured nearly 85 lives.

Congress left Washington, D.C., for its August recess without taking any action to address our nation’s rising gun violence. Instead of strengthening laws, they were working to weaken them, pushing measures like a new federal mandate requiring all states to recognize the weakest concealed-carry standards in the country. That means someone allowed to carry a loaded, hidden gun under lax rules in one state could do so legally in any state, no matter that state's laws.

JAC candidates are committed to ending gun violence, and they are fighting back in Congress. Sens. Richard Blumenthal (CT), Chris Murphy (CT), and Adam Schiff (CA), along with Reps. Eric Swalwell (CA) and Jason Crow (CO) are challenging the gun industry’s enormous profits. They led 81 lawmakers in reintroducing legislation to revoke the industry’s immunity from lawsuits. The threat of legal action could motivate gun manufacturers to adopt safer practices, such as developing smart guns that can only be fired by authorized users.

If you see your Representative or Senators during the August recess, encourage them to support every effort to end gun violence and thank them if they already do. 

Trump’s photo op with tanks and armed officers filling the streets of Washington, DC, is not the solution. The real issue lies in the influx of guns into our cities. The answer is that we need better, stronger gun laws that save lives. If he truly wants to keep our neighborhoods safe and reduce crime, he should push Congress to pass effective gun safety laws.

The gun lobby wants to defeat our candidates so they can continue their hold on Congress. We can’t let that happen. DONATE TO JAC.

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IN THE NEWS

ISRAEL

• As Iran faces drought, Netanyahu offers a deal: Overthrow the mullahs, and Israel will help
• Behind the attack: How Uri Gordin, IDF’s northern chief, defeated Hezbollah
• How Israel’s West Bank settlement plan could ‘bury’ the prospect of a Palestinian state

BDS & ANTISEMITISM

• Only 9 US states have strong antisemitism policies
• Columbia University will screen prospective students for ‘civility’
• Database shows college courses dealing with the Middle East lean sharply left

CHOICE

• VA proposes ban on abortion services for veterans, including in cases of rape and incest 
• Trump’s efforts to defund Planned Parenthood threatens US healthcare system, study suggests
• Tennessee's reproductive rights are becoming slightly less restrictive

SEPARATION

• Judge blocks four districts from enforcing Arkansas law requiring Ten Commandments in classroom
• How Pete Hegseth’s zeal to bring religiosity to the Pentagon is dividing the military
• Who’s questioning women’s right to vote?

GUN VIOLENCE

• After shooting, CDC employees and public health figures demand rhetoric change from RFK Jr.
• CDC data is helping combat gun violence, but it’s at risk of disappearing
• “Reduce the Risk”: California campaign presents critical info on gun violence protection orders

CLIMATE & COURTS

• A new study shows how climate change is driving wildfire season to start earlier in California
• Climate science will “move aside,” with NASA only focusing on space exploration
• Will the Supreme Court overturn same-sex marriage? Maybe — but it hasn’t done anything yet

POLITICAL BYTE

• Trump, John Roberts and the unsettling of American politics
• House Republicans want another megabill. One GOP senator says it could be ‘damaging’
• Good government group won’t oppose efforts ‘counterbalancing’ redistricting

FYI

• Remember the name: Israel U16 Men’s National Team's Omri Orland
• Legal group hails breakthrough as US judge equates Israeli flag with Jewish identity
• General, diplomat and true friend

THE LAST WORD

“Marriage equality has been the law of the land for more than a decade. Full stop. We can’t — and won’t — allow extremists to roll back the clock on LGBTQ+ rights.”

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ)

Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs (JACPAC) is a pro-Israel PAC with a domestic agenda. We support a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and advocate for reproductive health and the separation of religion and state and incorporate other issues of importance to the Jewish community, including gun violence prevention and climate change. In addition to providing financial support for U.S. Senate and House campaigns, JACPAC educates our membership with outreach events designed to inform and activate their participation in the political process.

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