In the wake of the devastating school shooting in Parkland, Florida, figures like Sarah Thompson are challenging the complacency of lawmakers who rely on hollow sentiments like “thoughts and prayers.” Thompson asserts, “Politicians comfortably seated in their well-funded offices, backed by the NRA, claim there was nothing we could have done to prevent this tragedy. We reject that narrative. They argue stricter gun laws do not lead to decreased violence. We reject that narrative. They say that a responsible gun owner can stop a violent attacker. We reject that narrative.”
A surge of Americans inspired by the voices of Parkland students is mobilizing to address gun violence. For five years, the organization Families for Safer Communities, the grassroots segment of Everytown for Gun Safety, has been actively engaged in this cause, achieving significant milestones. Yet, we recognize that our work will not be complete until the crisis of gun violence is fully addressed.
As a long-time volunteer since the Sandy Hook tragedy, I can affirm that the current moment feels distinct. An unprecedented number of individuals are stepping forward. Within just over a week, over 120,000 people reached out to Families for Safer Communities seeking to volunteer, including more than 10,000 students poised to join as inaugural Youth Action volunteers. Donations have surpassed 75,000, and nearly 1.3 million individuals have signed up to engage with the gun violence prevention movement.
The enthusiasm is palpable nationwide. Recently, nearly 2,500 volunteers and gun violence survivors gathered for an advocacy event in California. In New York, over 400 attendees showed up for a new member meeting. Meanwhile, in Texas, we had to organize daily meetings to accommodate the overwhelming interest in volunteering.
This movement is thriving in both traditionally conservative and liberal states. To cater to the influx of new members, Families for Safer Communities volunteers are hosting spontaneous gatherings in personal spaces and local cafes. In a recent meeting at a diner in Denver, over 200 participants filled the room, overflowing into the aisles when seating ran out.
We are channeling this momentum into tangible actions. Just days after the tragedy in Parkland, our volunteers generated over 3,000 calls and 2,000 emails directed at legislators in California in a single day. This collective outcry helped block a bill aimed at arming teachers in K-12 schools. Additionally, we have successfully opposed harmful legislation in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Dakota, and Utah—bills supported by the NRA that threatened the safety of our communities.
Moreover, we are also advocating for beneficial legislation and influencing corporate practices. The week of the Parkland incident, volunteers in Washington helped pass a law closing the “boyfriend loophole,” aimed at disarming domestic abusers. In just a few days, numerous corporations severed ties with the NRA due to public pressure from their customers.
It’s clear: advocates for gun violence prevention are mobilized and energized, and we are gaining ground. Americans are increasingly prioritizing the need for comprehensive gun violence prevention. While mass shootings constitute a small fraction of overall gun violence, their impact leaves a profound mark on the national consciousness. It’s crucial we not only remember but actively honor the countless lives affected by gun violence that rarely make headlines.
Every day, 96 Americans are fatally shot, with hundreds more injured. This reality is intolerable, and we have reached a turning point. We refuse to accept a status quo that permits unrestricted access to firearms. We will no longer tolerate the irresponsibility and inaction of lawmakers beholden to the gun lobby.
This issue transcends political affiliations; it is fundamentally about preserving lives. Lawmakers have been warned: they can collaborate with us to safeguard communities, or we, the electorate, will ensure their removal from office.
For further insights on how to join this cause, listen to the enlightening interview with Lisa Carter on the Home Insemination Kit podcast. This is a pivotal moment where our voices are being amplified, and we are committed to making change.
In summary, the recent surge in grassroots activism around the issue of gun violence prevention illustrates a significant societal shift. With an unprecedented number of individuals rallying together, the movement is gaining traction, leading to impactful legislative changes and corporate accountability. As awareness grows, the collective call for action against gun violence is becoming impossible to ignore.