Love in Action : Gun Violence
Love in Action : Session 17
Please join Lead with Love for zoom webinars, that highlight current issues related to community wellbeing, such as justice, freedom and climate change that need of our help. We will provide tangible actions and perform these efforts during the 1 hour meeting.
This week our efforts will focus on Gun Violence.
On March 16 2021, we were shocked by the shooting spree in Atlanta, Georgia that took the lives of 8 people. While processing this tragedy and still in a state of grief, another mass shooting took 10 lives in Boulder, Colorado only 6 days later.
These mass shootings are grievous tragedies that occur too often in our country, and they are only a fraction of the total gun violence that haunts our country.
Causes and solutions to gun violence are complicated with convictions on both (if not many) sides of the debate. However, we do not want to live in fear. We do not want to worry about the safety of our nation’s children and teachers while they attend school. If we can make changes that save even a few lives, we are better for it.
During this Love in Action session, we will learn about the epidemic of gun violence in our country and take action to foster a safer space for all people.
If you haven’t yet registered for Love in Action, please do so by clicking the button below.
What You’ll Need
Pen/Pencil
Paper/Journal
Computer with Email/Wifi
The State of Gun Violence in the U.S.
Recent Mass Shootings
Mass shootings are generally defined as incidents involving four or more victims of gun-related violence.
Atlanta Shooting
On March 16 2021, Robert Aaron Long shot and killed 8 people in 3 different locations over 2 counties. He purchased the handgun legally only hours before the killing spree. The event sparked conversation and debate over racism in America, anti asian sentiment, as well as vulnerability of women and sex workers.
Boulder Shooting
On March 22, 2021, 21 year old Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa shot and killed 10 people in a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado. He was carrying 2 semi-automatic firearms, one an AR-15 that was purchased on March 16, 2021, having passed a background check despite an assault conviction on his record. Only 10 days before the shooting, or 4 days before the purchase of the gun, a judge lifted a ban on assault weapons and large capacity magazines.
Other Mass Shootings
Over 100 people have been shot in mass shooting incidents in the past two weeks—and over 30 have been killed. There were over 600 mass shootings in 2020. So far in the first 3 months of 2021, there have been 126 mass shootings killing 148 people and wounding 481.
Gun Violence Numbers
10,933
Number of gun related deaths in the united states so far in 2021
43,541
Number of gun related deaths in the united states in 2020
393M
more than 393 million civilian-owned firearms in the United States (more than the total population)
39.7M
The FBI processed 39.7 million firearm background checks in 2020.
Gun Policy
The Second Amendment
“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
SUMMARY OF FEDERAL LAW
Federal law imposes various duties on federally licensed firearms dealers. Firearms dealers must, among other things:
Perform background checks on prospective firearm purchasers.
Maintain records of all gun sales.
Make those records available to law enforcement for inspection.
Report certain multiple sales.
Report the theft or loss of a firearm from the licensee’s inventory.17
Federal law imposes none of these requirements on unlicensed sellers, however.
22 states and the District of Columbia have extended background checks beyond federal law. Of these, 16 states and DC require background checks for all gun sales.
Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act
Passed congress in 1993 and required federal background checks for guns purchased from federally licensed retailers.
Federal Assault Weapons Ban
Signed into law in 1994, as part of the The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act (1994 Crime Bill) banning civilian use of assault weapons and high capacity magazines. The law expired in accordance to a sunset provision in 2004.
Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act of 2013 (TOOMEY-MANCHIN GUN AMENDMENT)
Constructed in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting as a measure to expand background checks and close the gun show loophole. The high-profile bill failed to pass in the Senate.
Polls v. Policy
Although gun reform policy is overwhelmingly popular, it continues to be a political failure for the following reasons:
The influence of the NRA
Bipartisan mania
Representation and distribution of population
Voters’ habits (Gun voters)
Federal Policy Solutions
H.R. 8: The Bipartisan Background Checks Act
This bill establishes new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties (i.e., unlicensed individuals).
Specifically, it prohibits a firearm transfer between private parties unless a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer first takes possession of the firearm to conduct a background check.
The prohibition does not apply to certain firearm transfers, such as a gift between spouses in good faith.
Introduced by Mike Thompson, passed the House on 3/11/21.
H.R. 1446: Enhanced Background Checks Act
Closes the Charleston loophole - expands investigation period from 3 to 10 days
Introduced by James Clyburn, passed the House on 3/11/21.
Other Solutions
State Legislation
Wellbeing, Care, Support
Step into Action
Ask your Senator to support both The Bipartisan Background Checks Act and the Enhanced Background Checks Act.
You may opt to use the following script when either calling or emailing your Senators. All the better if you are inspired to create your own statement in your own words. Your senator and representative are working to represent YOUR interests and values.
Because you are here with us, we empower you to represent yourself as a member of this organization if that feels good and brings you comfort. Feel free to omit this section if you prefer to reach out as an individual.
Dear (Senator),
My name is [Name]. I’m a member of Lead with Love, a non profit working to bring positive engagement with popular causes, and I am [writing/calling] from [zip code] in [city].
The numbers of gun-related deaths so far in 2021 are already alarming. Protecting our communities from gun violence is necessary to our wellbeing. Your support and commitment to passing The Bipartisan Background Checks Act and the Enhanced Background Checks Act are critical to ensuring that background checks help prevent dangerous people from having access to deadly firearms . As your constituent, please let me know how if there’s anything I can do to support your commitment and build support in my community.
Learn the Gun Laws in Your State
Read through the gun laws in your state. Compare them to other states and look for areas of improvements. There are links below to help you find the contact information for your state legislators. If they are not doing enough to promote gun safety in your state, then contact them letting them know your zip code and that you are a voter seeking laws that prevent gun violence.
Encourage Your State Legislator to Promote Gun Safety Policy
You may opt to use the following script when either calling or emailing your state legislator. All the better if you are inspired to create your own statement in your own words. Your senator is working to represent YOUR interests and values. You can also ask them to present their position on gun safety if you’d like!
Because you are here with us, we empower you to represent yourself as a member of this organization if that feels good and brings you comfort. Feel free to omit this section if you prefer to reach out as an individual.
My name is [name] and I am [writing/calling] from [city, state]. ]. As a member of Lead with Love, a non profit working to bring positive engagement with popular causes, I urge you to pass legislation that protects your constituents from gun violence.
At this time when we are coping with thousands of gun deaths per month in this country, we need creative and deliberate policy that protects our families. I am a gun safety voter and realize that in today’s political climate real change is most effective at the state level. Your immediate support and commitment is critical to ensuring the safety for our families from gun violence. As your constituent, please let me know how if there’s anything I can do to support your commitment and build support in my community.
Resources
Read / Watch / Listen
Amplify this message!
POST about America’s gun violence crisis and help bring attention to this cause, using the hashtags:
#gunreformnow
#guncontrol
#universalbackgroundchecks
#leadwithlove
#loveinaction
Share images showing your support for:
shooting victims
safe communities
care and wellbeing
Tag your representatives! All of em! And us! @ileadwithlove (we’ll repost!)
PLEASE HELP US SUPPORT ARTISTS BY TAGGING THEIR WORK IN YOUR POST!
Post your Efforts!!
Take a screenshot of the email you send to your representative or the reply you receive from them. Proudly let your community know you are taking action and inspire them to do so as well. Your efforts could have a ripple effect for the causes you most believe in! WOW!! Tag us and we will PROUDLY repost on our account!!
Share this toolkit!
We encourage you to let your community know about the amazing work you are doing to help strengthen democracy in America. Please use the links below to share this toolkit or simply share by text or email by copying and pasting the url in your browser.