DECEMBER 16, 2022

On Our Mind

This week marked the 10th anniversary of that horrific day in Newtown, CT, when 20 children and 6 adults were killed within minutes at the Sandy Hook Elementary School. For those families, the anniversary is just one more reminder of the 3652 days they have been forced to face without their loved one. 

But the Sandy Hook community is not unique. Mass shootings in the U.S. have nearly tripled since 2013. These shootings have occurred at other schools and have also targeted the Jewish community, the LGTBQ community, and other minority groups.

The shadow of gun violence hangs over all of us. Who hasn’t thought about the possibility of a shooting when we drop our kids at school, go to the grocery store, attend a large event, celebrate July 4th at a parade, or leave a restaurant? The potential for gun violence is now a part of our collective conscience. 

Lockdown drills at schools are as common as recess. Nearly every student in a public school has experienced a lockdown drill. Studies have shown that these drills cause emotional distress and lead to students feeling unsafe, scared, helpless, and sad.

These drills are not the answer to keeping our children safe. The real problem still remains: guns of war on the streets and guns in the hands of dangerous individuals. In the decade following Sandy Hook, 150 million guns have been sold in the U.S. and there have been 53 more school shootings that have resulted in 101 people killed and 156 injured. Today, over 100 people every day are killed in the U.S. with a gun.

In June, President Joe Biden signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act which offers the most significant federal firearm rules in nearly three decades. But this Act it is not enough. We can and must do more.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), who had previously represented the district that included Newtown said, “… I'm so sad for what we lost. But I'm also so inspired and hopeful for all the grace and kindness that has grown out of tragedy, and for all that will come in the future.”

We end this dark week remembering the Sandy Hook victims as we get ready to celebrate Hanukkah. This holiday of light, hope, and rededication should inspire us to keep working toward a world free from gun violence.

Sources: Psychology Today, NBCNews.com

PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED THE RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT INTO LAW!

ACTION ALERTS

Sign our petition to lawmakers demanding Congress pass comprehensive gun violence legislation. It has been 10 years since the mass shooting in Newtown, MA, and mass shooting keep happening. It is time to end the fear, the violence, and the control of the gun lobby over our lives. Click here to sign on and share with your friends and family.

The Protect Illinois Families Act, HB5855, is scheduled for a third public hearing on Tuesday, December 20. This bill includes measures to: ban assault weapons, combat the illegal influx of guns into Illinois, raise the minimum age to legally possess firearms and ammunition to 21, limit the size of ammunition magazines, and increase resources to enforce Firearms Restraining Orders.

Witness slips are needed in support of the bill. CLICK HERE to add your support to the bill.

Pro-gun opposition are showing a 2-1 ratio of signatures over gun violence prevention supporters. We need to show support for common sense gun violence prevention. Please fill out your slip as a PROPONENT and "Record of appearance only." Then share with all of your friends and family to show law makers we demand safe communities.

Instructions to file a witness slip:

1. Under Section I, fill in your identification information. For the Firm/business or agency and Title fields, write “self” unless you are authorized by a company or business to use their name on the witness slip.
2. Under Section II, fill out your organization if you are representing one, or write "self" if you are not authorized to appear on behalf of any group. You can also fill in N/A.
3. In Section III, select the bill from the drop down box, and select “Proponent.”
4. In Section IV, select "Record of Appearance Only," unless you are submitting other forms of testimony, in which case select those as well.
5. Agree to the ILGA Terms of Agreement
6. Type what is displayed in the CAPTCHA box.
7. Select the "Create Slip" button
8. You are done!