Mastodon

Deb and Mike For Progressive Democrats of America

Apr 24, 2018

By  Debra Schrishuhn for Mike H., Donna, Mike F., Janis, Deb, Kimberly, Bryan, Dan, Judy, and Dr. Bill—your PDA National Team

Tell Congress “End Gun Violence”

 

Every Tuesday, Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) honors people and ideas that “Trump Trump.” Today, we’re backing gun sense; demanding that Congress act now to address mass shootings and other gun violence. Earlier this week, a gunman shot up a Waffle House restaurant with guns that’d been seized but returned to him. This was just the latest in an unconscionable epidemic of gun violence.

Clearly protecting guns gets priority over protecting human beings in America today. This must change. With your help, this will change. We won’t forget the latest victims of gun profligacy who’re joining a tragically lengthening procession of innocent casualties to NRA propaganda and other gun extremism. Please join us—and an overwhelming majority of Americans—supporting Support Common Sense Gun Safety Reforms.

Support Common Sense Gun Safety Reforms

On February 14th, a 19-year-old armed with an AR-15 rifle murdered 17 students and teachers in South Florida despite numerous warnings the mass murderer was armed and dangerous. Also in Florida, a mass murderer slaughtered innocents at the Pulse night club in Orlando on June 12, 2016—again despite danger signs. We do not accept that the horrendous gun violence unique to the USA is inevitable.

Have you had enough? We have. We’re asking for your support to defeat the politicians funded by the National Rifle Association (NRA) who block needed reforms. Support the brave young people of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and other young people who demand an end to the carnage. Give generously to PDA to sustain our efforts. Then please send an e-mail demanding that your elected officials Support Common Sense Gun Safety.

Also, call the US Capitol Switchboard at (202)-224-3121, ask to be connected to your Senators’ and Representative’s offices. Ask to speak to (or leave a voicemail for) the staffer working on crime or public safety issues. Say you’re their constituent and you expect them to work for and vote for common sense gun safety laws—or you’ll work to defeat them and replace them with someone who cares more for human beings than fat contributions from the NRA.

Former Republican U.S. Representative David Jolly gave this advice in the wake of the Parkland, FL, shooting:

First, flip the House. Flip the House. Republicans are not going to do a single thing after this shooting we saw today. But I would also offer to Democrats, work for incremental wins.

We agree. Political paralysis is killing children as well as adults. Besides school shootings, our insane, permissive gun policies enable slaughter at places of worship (so prayers aren’t enough), concerts, shopping malls, movie theaters—even military bases (so more guns can’t possibly be the answer.)

We need to make real progress on common sense steps to prevent mass shootings. Like banning bump stocks that effectively turn semi-automatic weapons into fully automatic firing machines, used in the Las Vegas massacre last year. Bills were introduced in both chambers of Congress. They went nowhere, because of undue influence from gun and ammunition manufacturers working through the NRA. Some cities and states have since banned bump stocks. We need to do that nationwide. That’s incremental progress.

We need to expand background checks to keep guns out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have them. A new Quinnipiac poll finds that Americans support universal background checks by a stunning 97% to 2%. Congress must pass universal background checks now. What are they waiting for?

Let’s take David Jolly’s advice. Help PDA flip the House and Senate. Help us elect progressive Democrats not beholden to the NRA. Help us put pressure on incumbent legislators to enact common sense laws to curtail gun violence. There’s no question we can get this done. We will keep organizing, calling, marching, and protesting. We are not going away. We are not backing down. #JusticeOrBust. We just need your sustained support—via monthly automatic gifts—to elect a more progressive Congress.

Donate to PDA to sustain our efforts. Support Common Sense Gun Safety, and call your members of Congress to let them know this issue matters to you at (202)-224-3121, ask to be connected to your Senators’ and Representative’s offices. Ask to speak to (or leave a voice mail for) the staffer working on crime or public safety issues. Say you’re their constituent and you expect them to work for and vote for common sense gun safety laws. Demand action now, not after yet another school, restaurant, club, or shopping mall is stained with the blood of innocents. If not now, WHEN?

We need you to help PDA stand up against gun violence now!

In solidarity,

Debra Schrishuhn for Mike H., Donna, Mike F., Janis, Deb, Kimberly, Bryan, Dan, Judy, and Dr. Bill—your PDA National Team

P.S. Help stand up against gun violence. Click here to support our work for common sense gun safety laws.

0 Comments

Mastodon