In just the past few weeks we’ve seen lifesaving legislation signed into law in New York, Rhode Island, Delaware, California, and New Jersey. Cities in states like Colorado and Oregon are passing ordinances that go even further to protect communities from gun violence. And in states where dangerous gun laws are being enacted, like a new Ohio law allowing teachers to carry weapons in schools, even school districts are acting to prevent guns in schools.
That gives us cause for optimism. And a reason to hold celebrations like the one in the White House, marking our small victories — and big ones like the one we celebrated Monday — as we take the fight to the gun lobby.
If we want to continue to see meaningful change, we need to commit to out-organizing, out-working and out-voting the gun lobby. We’ve seen in just the past few weeks that bipartisan progress is possible. Action is possible. Those who are joining our movement and saying enough is enough are making a difference. And now is the time to keep going, at every level of government.
In the coming months, we will work to pass a prohibition on the sale of weapons of war in Illinois. We will work to ensure the funding provided in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is used to implement red flag laws, and that families and law enforcement know how to use them. And we will continue to work to unlock and allocate funds for community violence intervention programs, which help reduce the daily gun violence that represents the majority of gun violence in America.
We have the right as Americans to be free of violence and fear. But freedom isn’t being ruled by an industry that profits off your death. Freedom isn’t fearing armed and dangerous people with guns on every street corner. Freedom can’t mean continuing to allow our country’s problem of toxic masculinity and supremacist ideologies to grow unchecked.
