We are 32 families who have lost loved ones in many of the most infamous and deadly mass shootings our nation has ever seen.
We know we are far from alone in our grief. Every day in America, 32 more families lose loved ones to gun murders, most in tragedies that do not make national headlines because they are so common.
We believe we are better than this. And we are calling for a respectful and civil public conversation, focused simply on making this the safer nation we all want and deserve . . .
We are Republicans and Democrats, from “red states” and “blue states.” We live in cities, suburbs, and rural areas. We are from many different walks of life. Some of us own guns. Some of us don’t.
We know that the overwhelming majority of Americans support sensible solutions that would have prevented many of our tragedies, and can prevent many more every day. We are prepared to hold our elected leaders accountable to do everything they can to enact such solutions.
We invite every American who shares our vision of a safer nation to join us, and add your voices to ours, by signing this letter.
Without you, we are a group of families bound by the fact that we have been through something terrible. Together, we can all be the voice of real and lasting change!
Signed,
Jessica Watts, cousin of Jonathan Blunk, killed in a movie theater, Aurora, CO, July 20, 2012
Teresa and Dave Hoover, mother and uncle of Alexander J. “AJ” Boik, killed in a movie theater, Aurora, CO, July 20, 2012
Sandy and Lonnie Phillips, mother and step-father of Jessica Ghawi, killed in a movie theater, Aurora, CO, July 20, 2012
Jerri Jackson, mother of Matt McQuinn, killed in a movie theater, Aurora, CO, July 20, 2012
Greg and Rena Medek, parents of Micayla “Cayla” Medek, killed in a movie theater, Aurora, CO, July 20, 2012
Anita Busch, cousin of Micayla “Cayla” Medek, killed in a movie theater, Aurora, CO, July 20, 2012
Carol and Tom Teves, parents of Alex Teves, killed in a movie theater, Aurora, CO, July 20, 2012
Robert Wingo, ex-husband of Rebecca Wingo, killed in a movie theater, Aurora, CO, July 20, 2012
Brian and Camella Seymour, children of Judith O. Seymour, killed at Oikos University, Oakland, CA, April 2, 2012
Amardeep and Pardeep Kaleka, sons of Satwant Singh Kaleka, killed at the Sikh Temple, Oak Creek, WI, August 5, 2012
Roxanna Green, mother of Christina-Taylor Green, killed outside of a Safeway store, Tucson, AZ, January 8, 2011
Paula Caouette, Paul Caouette, Katie Caouette, and Cristin Caouette-Gaskil, wife and children of David Caouette, killed at Salon Meritage, Seal Beach, CA, October 12, 2011
Paul Wilson, husband of Christy Lynn Wilson, killed at Salon Meritage, Seal Beach, CA, October 12, 2011
Nardyne Jeffries, mother of Brishell Jones, killed in a drive-by shooting on South Capitol Street, Washington, D.C., March 30, 2010
Eric and Mary Kay Mace, parents of Ryanne Mace, killed at Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, February 14, 2008
Carolyn Tuft and Kaitlin, Parker, and Scott Hinckley, mother and siblings of Kirsten Hinckley, killed at Trolley Square Mall, Salt Lake City, UT, February 12, 2007
Uma and Abhi Loganathan, children of G.V. Loganathan, killed at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, April 16, 2007
Peter and Catherine Read, parents of Mary Read, killed at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, April 16, 2007
Joe, Mona, Omar, and Randa Samaha, parents and siblings of Reema Samaha, killed at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, April 16, 2007
Paul and Susan Turner, parents of Maxine Turner, killed at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, April 16, 2007
John Woods, boyfriend of Maxine Turner, killed at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, April 16, 2007
Annette Nance-Holt, mother of Blair Holt, killed on a city bus, Chicago, IL, May 10, 2007
Pamela Bosley, mother of Terrell Bosley, killed outside Lights of Zion Missionary Bible Church, Chicago, IL, April 4, 2006
Tim, Christian, Genevieve, and Jeff Heyne, husband and children of Janice Heyne, killed in a shooting spree, Thousand Oaks, CA, May 30, 2005
Jose Guzman and Guadalupe Sanchez, parents of Guillermo Rodriguez, killed at a Subway, Phoenix, AZ, November 5, 2005
David Cariens, father-in-law of Angela Dales, killed at the Appalachian School of Law, Grundy, VA, January 16, 2002
Nick and Amanda Wilcox, parents of Laura Ligon Wilcox, killed at the Nevada County Behavioral Health Clinic, Grass Valley, CA, January 10, 2001
Suzanne and Casey Glimstad, mother and sister of Derek Glimstad, killed during a shooting spree, Sacramento, CA, September 8, 2001
Tom Mauser, father of Daniel Mauser, killed at Columbine High School, Littleton, CO, April 20, 1999
Sherialyn Byrdsong, wife of Northwestern Basketball Coach, Ricky Byrdsong, killed during a shooting spree, Skokie, IL, July 2, 1999
Paul Ercolino, brother of Steve Ercolino, killed at the Empire State Building, New York City, NY, August 24, 1997
Geraldine Hills, sister of Officer Adam J. Hills, ambushed and killed off-duty, Seney, MI, October 18, 1994