Going into the U.S. elections in November, gun violence prevention advocates were eager for Democratic candidates to win, come to Washington and get things done. The 114th Congress had failed to act on gun violence after a series of mass shootings, especially after the bloodiest in U.S. history at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida. And then the election results came in, bringing in a Republican majority that is threatening to strip away gun laws. With toddlers accessing guns to kill 25 people since 2015, and what seems like a mass shooting happening every week, now is not the time for gun violence prevention advocates nor a GOP majority to become complacent. The 115th Congress needs to enforce gun violence prevention laws already in the books and enact new life-saving legislation. Meanwhile, gun violence prevention advocates must hold them accountable for change to truly occur.
Throughout 2016, a headline has run in newspapers constantly nationwide; community members injured or killed due to gun violence. But this headline contained subjects who were supposed to protect us: police, who shot defenseless victims, often African Americans doing alleged illegal activities in or around their cars. Also, the headline highlighted the tragic deaths of family members to toddlers who found a gun lying around the home. Most frightening of all were the mass shootings because of ideological hysteria and homophobia, such as in at Pulse Nightclub, and other disturbing reasons such as over an argument as what escalated in one death and nine injured recently on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
Citizens have grown restless and outraged at these instances of gun violence, organizing to voice their concerns. Organizations, such as Gays Against Guns (GAG), emerged from the shock and dismay at these mass shootings, police brutality and family violence due to guns. These direct-action groups have protested around the U.S., pressing gun manufacturers, investors, trade associations, lawmakers and others to take action and stop the violence permitted by National Rifle Association-backed shills in Congress.
GAG DC, a group affiliated with Gays Against Guns in Washington, D.C., has proposed gun violence prevention actions for implementation in the 115th Congress:
- Reinstate the assault weapons ban.
- Close gun show loopholes that permit easy sales and Internet purchases.
- Establish stronger background checks.
- Removal of legal shield protecting gun manufacturers from liability in civil suits from victims of gun violence.
- Permit research at the CDC through government funding.
Optimism for action in the 115th Congress can seem slim due to the outcomes in last November’s elections, but some new Members could serve as catalysts for renewed action. They include Democrats Maggie Hassan in the U.S. Senate and Stephanie Murphy in the House of Representatives. It is up to gun violence prevention advocates to encourage these new Members to invigorate Congress to make these needed reforms that can save American lives. GAG DC will be there in the streets of DC and in the halls of Congress, demanding results from lawmakers.
If you are looking to take action against gun violence, learn more about getting involved in GAG and other gun violence prevention groups below:
Gays Against Guns – www.gaysagainstguns.net
Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence – www.bradycampaign.org
Everytown for Gun Safety – www.everytown.org
Sandy Hook Promise – www.sandyhookpromise.org
Follow Gays Against Guns DC on Facebook and Twitter (@GaysXGunsDC).
Kipp Lanham is the media coordinator for GAG DC.