Gantry 5

Virginia Chapter
National Organization for Women

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Stop the Carnage

June 1, 2022

Common sense gun safety is a feminist issue. 

Sandy Hook was almost 10 years ago and nothing has changed. The carnage continues because too many legislators - essentially the entire GOP -- refuse to do anything about it. They are willing to sacrifice innocent lives if it means they will win re-election. They lack ethics and they lack humanity. We can’t let them get away with it. This political action alert was provided by The Democratic Women of Clifton and Northern Virginia. Virginia NOW is nonpartisan but this alert is of interest to anyone concerned about a just society. We hope the facts will help you to talk about gun violence with people who are undecided or not fully informed. Here are some actions you can take to channel your heartache and frustration.

 

Share Gun Violence Facts - especially with those who might disagree or be misinformed

  • The Gun Violence Archive has counted at least 215 mass shootings in the U.S. in 2022, defined as one in which four or more people were killed or injured.
  • Since 2014, there have been 244 mass shootings in Texas.
  • Firearms became the leading cause of death for American children and teenagers in 2020, according to researchers who analyzed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data.
  • The FBI defines an active shooter as one or more people killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area. These events are increasing. Active shooter events are up 52.5% (2021-2020) and 96.8% since 2017.
  • The overwhelming majority of Americans support sensible gun violence prevention measures like requiring background checks on all gun sales.
Take These Actions at the Federal Level
 
​Virginia has two Senators - Mark Warner and Tim Kaine - who support common sense gun reform. Urge ​them to work with their Republican colleagues who might have a shred of feeling about protecting our children and families in order to gather the 60 votes needed if we are ever to pass even the mildest of gun reforms. 
 
We need our Members of Congress to:
  • Pass a Strong Federal Ban on Assault Weapons and High Capacity Magazines (HR 1808 & S.736)
  • Pass the two Criminal Background Checks bills (HR 8 & HR 1446) to expand and enhance Brady Background checks and to close the Charleston Loophole
  • Support the Break the Cycle of Violence Act to invest $6.5 billion in community violence intervention and strategic workforce programs that are proven to save lives
  • Pass Ethan’s Law to require safe gun and ammunition storage (HR 748 & S 190)
  • Demand that the age to purchase all guns (including long guns) be raised to 21 (Senator Feinstein has a bill that goes part way – it seeks to ban anyone under 21 from buying assault weapons)
  • Institute National Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO) - also called red flag laws- so that individuals who are a danger to themselves or others can have their guns temporarily removed
  • Prohibit the manufacture and sharing of blueprints to create Ghost Guns
  • Confirm Steven Dettelbach as Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF)
 Advocate on the Hill – June 7-10
Advocate for all of the above on Capitol Hill during March for Our Lives Lobby Days, June 7-10. Sign up here.
 
March for Gun Safety – June 11
Support our youth when March for Our Lives returns to Washington DC on Saturday, June 11th. Register to attend the March here.

Take These State and Local Actions

  • Oppose any initiatives that would arm teachers and other school personnel
  • Attend your local school board meetings and make your voice heard
  • Ask your school district what they are doing to increase social and emotional well-being for students and staff
  • Ask if your community’s schools have a threat assessment team to potentially identify at-risk youth so that intervention services can be provided
  • Join us in front of the NRA, 11250 Waples Mill Rd. on the 14th of every month as we demonstrate for better gun laws. The event is always from 10-11 am unless the 14th falls on a Sunday, in which case we meet from 2-3 pm