Tell Your Republican Senator We've Had Enough of Their Thoughts and Prayers

On the same day as the 631st mass shooting of 2023, this time at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Senate Republicans blocked efforts by Senate Democrats to pass an assault weapons ban and universal background checks legislation. Over the weekend, the United States broke the record for the most mass shootings in a single year. Next week will mark the 11th anniversary of Sandy Hook, when twenty children and six staff members were killed in Newtown, Connecticut.

A Gallup poll conducted in June 2022 found that 92 percent of Americans favor requiring background checks for all firearm sales. According to a survey conducted in February 2023, 53 percent of all registered voters in the United States strongly supported banning assault-style weapons, the weapon of choice in mass shootings because of their capability of firing far more bullets, far faster than other rifles.

According to Everytown for Gun Safety, "From 2015 to 2022, mass shootings with four or more people killed where an assault weapon was used resulted in nearly six times as many people shot, more than twice as many people killed, and 23 times as many people wounded on average compared to those that did not involve the use of one."

The evidence is clear: a ban on these weapons and high-capacity magazines leads to a marked reduction in both the incidence and severity of public mass shootings. During the decade of the 1994 federal assault weapons ban, it's estimated that least 11 public mass shootings were prevented. Furthermore, analysis suggests that if this ban had remained in place from 2005 through 2019, an additional 30 mass shootings, which took 339 lives and injured 1,139 individuals, could have been averted. (Everytown)

Mass shootings -- like the one that just unfolded at UNLV -- are a uniquely American problem. So is Republican inaction, funded in large part by the NRA and gun lobby.

If you have a Republican senator (or two!), send them an email now telling them that you were paying attention and that you've had enough of their thoughts and prayers. Until they do something, they've got blood on their hands. You can customize the letter below.

I am writing to express my profound disappointment and concern regarding your recent decision to block the passage of the assault weapons ban and universal background checks legislation. This decision came on a day marred by the 631st mass shooting of 2023 at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, a stark reminder of the urgent need for sensible gun violence prevention in our nation.

As a constituent and concerned citizen, I cannot help but feel that this decision represents a gross neglect of your duty to protect the lives and safety of the American people. The overwhelming majority of Americans, including 92% who support mandatory background checks for all gun sales and 53% who favor banning assault-style weapons, expect their elected officials to act in accordance with public safety and opinion.

The evidence is clear: assault weapons significantly increase the lethality of mass shootings. Data from Everytown for Gun Safety highlights that such weapons lead to six times more people shot, double the fatalities, and 23 times more injuries than shootings without them. The effectiveness of the 1994 federal assault weapons ban, which prevented an estimated 11 public mass shootings during its tenure, is a testament to the impact such legislation can have.

Your role in obstructing this crucial legislation is not only a failure to heed public demand but also an action that, tragically, contributes to the continued loss of lives. The bloodshed in these mass shootings, exacerbated by the availability of assault weapons and the lack of comprehensive background checks, is now on your hands.

As your constituent, I urge you to reconsider your stance on this critical issue. I, along with many others, am paying close attention to your actions. The choice to prioritize political allegiances and campaign contributions from the NRA over the safety of Americans is unacceptable, and we will remember this when casting our votes in the next election.

We need leaders who are brave enough to stand up for the safety of their constituents, even when it is politically challenging. Please be that leader. Our lives, and the lives of our children, depend on it.

Send the letter

Not ? Click here.

Email address*

Street address*

City*

State*

Region

Prefix*

First name*

Last name*

ZIP Code*