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Tell Our Members of Congress that Their Prayers are Not Enough

On February 14, 2018, a high school in Broward County, Florida, experienced a mass shooting when a former student used a legally-purchased assault weapon to kill at least 17 students. This marked the eighteenth mass shooting to that point in 2018.

Donald Trump and Members of Congress continue to extend “thoughts and prayers,” but it’s not enough. It is time for Congress to do something to stop this type of gun violence.

But instead, Congress is considering making mass shootings easier, not preventing them.

The gun lobby’s top priorities enjoy wide support in Congress. On December 6, 2017, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. This legislation was a top priority of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and, if enacted into law, would cause a race to the bottom on gun safety standards. The Senate is expected to take up this same bill this year. We can’t let that happen.

Under this legislation, states would be required to recognize other states’ standards governing the possession of concealed firearms in public. This means that even though one state may have stringent regulations such as a permit or training requirement, that state would have to allow people from other states with lower standards – with perhaps no permit or training required at all – to carry concealed firearms without following the more stringent regulations.

This legislation would deprive states and localities from fully determining the appropriate gun safety protocols for their communities, and would allow the lowest common denominator to prevail. This will make concealed and loaded firearms more readily available at lower safety standards, raising the risk of gun violence for everyone.

For those reasons, every major law enforcement association opposes this bill because of its potentially disastrous implications for public safety. After all, this legislation would make it easier for more dangerous people, like stalkers, domestic abusers, and people who have committed violent crimes to carry loaded, concealed guns in more public places. This makes the risk of violence more imminent for all of us.

CONGRESS MUST REJECT THE NRA’S AGENDA

1.  Call Mike Turner at 202-225-6465 or 937-225-2843 and let him know you’re angry about his vote in favor of Concealed Carry Reciprocity.

Caller: My name is [NAME] and I’m calling from [ADDRESS].  I’m really disappointed that Rep. Turner voted in favor of H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. This is the NRA’s top legislative priority and will create a race to the bottom in gun safety standards.

Staffer: Thank you for sharing your concerns. Rep. Turner felt that this bill, along with the Fix NICS Act that it was combined with, would overall address gun safety in a bipartisan way that also protected the Second Amendment.

Caller: But we’ve seen over and over how the over-availability and lax regulations surrounding guns has caused mass shootings, terror and loss of life. This bill would force all states to recognize the lowest common denominator in gun safety regulations, even allowing people without a permit or training to carry a concealed firearm in public. This places us all at risk, which is why every major law enforcement agency has opposed this bill.

Staffer: I’ll be sure to convey your concerns to Rep. Turner.

Caller: Thank you, please do. I’m alarmed that he would side with Trump and the NRA to weaken gun safety, and I’ll be taking this vote into consideration in November.

2.  Call Rob Portman at 202-224-3353 or 513-684-3265 and demand he protect his constituents rather than tow the line for the NRA.

Caller: Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m calling from [ADDRESS].  I’m disturbed that H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act passed the House, and it’s essential that the Senate stop it from becoming law. Will Sen. Portman commit to voting against this bill when it comes to the Senate?

Staffer: Thank you for reaching out and sharing your concerns. The Senator will evaluate the legislation and make a decision at the time it comes up.

Caller: I’d like to see the Senator commit immediately to opposing this legislation. Particularly in light of the devastating mass shootings we’ve seen recently, it’s as important as ever not to weaken gun safety standards, and prevent firearms from falling into dangerous hands. This is why every major law enforcement agency has opposed this bill.

Staffer: I’ll be sure to relay your concerns to the Senator.

Caller: Please do, I’ll be monitoring his statements and following up if I don’t see a commitment to oppose the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act.