“Hey, Kate, you still into this whole gun thing?”
I hear this from friends I don’t see too often, those virtually distanced by Facebook, and those somewhat ambivalent and/or geographically immune from the gun violence that slammed my Newtown community.
They seem surprised I’m still at it.
“Wow. So you’re still following this gun thing?”
Why, yes. Yes I am. And I’m not alone. You wanna know why? Because the gun violence that hit Newtown continues to happen. Over and over and over again.
I’m into this gun thing because this is where I funnelled my grief immediately after our Newtown community was shattered. Call it gun safety advocacy. Call it grief advocacy. Call it guilt advocacy: my kids came home that day and so yes, I’m still into this gun thing.
I’m into this gun thing because in Newtown and Sandy Hook, we know intimately what happened in the town we call home and to people we love. We live in the after every single day.
I am into this gun thing because the people in power are not. I am into this gun thing because the people who make the rules seem ignorant to those of us that must live — and die — by those rules.
I’m into this gun thing because after all the shootings in theaters and schools and city streets, after all the other horror stories long before Sandy Hook, I was sad, yet ambivalent. I wasn’t involved. I didn’t like, share, tweet or post. I didn’t ASK. I didn’t vote. I didn’t care.
It hadn’t happened to me, to us, yet.
But that was then, and now, I’m into the gun thing.
When elected officials and those wanting to be, don’t accept responsibility that their action and inaction is explicitly responsible for laws arming an untrained, unregulated demographic with powerful weapons, unlimited rounds, and an unwavering sense of self righteousness that fuels a violent, militant, resurgence mentality, well, we can’t then be shocked with the outcome.
I’m into this gun thing because I live in America, where our cities experience gun violence daily, yet most doesn’t make the evening news. I’m into this gun thing because I live in Connecticut, where thankfully, after the horror that hit our Sandy Hook School, elected officials responded appropriately to do what they could to let Newtown become the place where real change began. At least here in Connecticut.
To do nothing is unacceptable. Our politicians are not just doing nothing, they’re doing damage. Until this so-called attempt at leadership ends, I am so into this gun thing.
And while I might be a quieter, less vocal, less intimidating force than the vehement opposition, don’t underestimate the power of us still into this gun thing.
We are the people, and we demand leadership that reflects and protects us all, and not just those with deep pockets and heartless souls.
To all those in office and all those wanting to be: your words and actions matter. And make no mistake about it: we are paying attention to your stance on gun violence prevention; we will vote accordingly and we will vote gun safety.
I am confident that election cycle by election cycle, we will remain a second amendment nation committed to public safety, and not irreverent, unsafe, NRA-interpreted inalienable rights.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO CHANGE GUN LEGISLATION:
Join a gun violence prevention group. Find a “Your State” Against Gun Violence. Join Brady, Gabby Gifford’s, Everytown. Sign up to get their emails and calls to action. They’ll do the heavy lifting; all you’ll have to do is act.
Text “Enough” to 877877. Text “terror gap” to 877877. Text “disarm hate” to 64433. Any or all of the above. They link to Everytown, Brady Campaign, lots of people doing incredible work to stop the madness.
Many people have never called congress before, and that’s okay.
Here’s what to expect when asked to text a message to a number:
Just like a text message, type in 877-877 like you’re sending a text to your mom, except instead of “mom” type in 877877. Then text to that number, as a message: “terror gap” no quotations. This is to the Brady Campaign, they will text you back to enter your zip code to identify your Senator. Then you will automatically be connected to your senator via a phone call.
Do not panic. (example below)
The call will 99% go to voice mail, and 1% be answered by a legislative aide (a recent college grad assigned to answering phones. Picture my own daughters answering the phones, except with better manners. Sometimes but not always.)
Leave a message. They must by law account for all messages.
We must flood Congress with phone calls. Remember this number and call it: Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121. Or use the handy-dandy text tool.
If by chance your Senator and representative is 100% on board as is mine (Connecticut’s Murphy, Blumenthal, and Esty), thank them. This is no easy feat. Or, you might be connected to another senator who might need to hear from you, as I was below.
What to expect when expecting smart gun laws, telephone activist edition:
Do this. Do something. Silence is not acceptable.
This is not brain surgery, not infringing on anyone’s rights, except for the rights of having no checks and balances at all.
If we say nothing, we say it’s okay and can’t be surprised when there’s another vigil for another atrocity because those in charge decided money is more important than people, and we the people let them.
(Portions of this post originally ran on KathrynMayer.com)
About the author: Kathy Kate Mayer is a potty-mouthed, sometimes cynical storyteller, humorist, and activist sharing life as she lives it in Newtown, Connecticut. She is a recent, reluctant inductee to AARP, the co-creator of two quasi-adults and two wannabees, and an aspiring writer with the rejections to prove it. She writes about work, teenagers, midlife, social issues, feminism, and gun violence prevention at www.kathrynmayer.com, and is sometimes funny on Instagram and Twitter as @klmcopy. Follow her on Facebook, but please don’t be an ass.
