5 Actions We Can All Take in Response to Uvalde

On the heels of one of the most deadly school shootings in our nations history, we celebrate Memorial Day, a holiday set aside to honor those who gave their lives to protect our freedoms and American values. Like most, I was shocked, saddened, and angered after hearing the news out of Uvalde. It was the same story—a teenage boy witha history of mental health issues, angry and vengeful, armed with assault rifles, targeting our nation’s most innocent.

I understood four years ago after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, Florida, and still do today that there is not one answer to these situations. I understand that those who go on shooting rampages are mentally ill. I understand that there will always be flaws in law enforcement and policing. And most importantly, I understand despite all we do, we cannot change human character and the decisions of an individual. But we can change laws to make our communities and the liveliehoods of our loved ones better and safer. That’s why today, on Memorial Day, we should take a moment to reflect on what the second amendment enacted in 1791 states:

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.

In an interview with the Brennan Center for Justice, law professor Darrell Miller says, “Few, if any, of the Founders are talk­ing about fire­arms for personal self-defense against crim­in­als during the time the Second Amend­ment was rati­fied — the debate was focused on fear of a stand­ing army and how to organ­ize the mili­tia. Recent research by linguists, using big data sets of 18th-century docu­ments unavail­able when the Court decided District of Columbia v. Heller, has pretty convin­cingly shown that ..

In addition, Noth­ing about the Second Amend­ment says that market must be unreg­u­lated.

To me, the amendment seems pretty clear. It was written in a completely different era to support the United States military, required to bear arms in order to defend this country. Mass shootings are complex issues, but tightening the current regulations would significantly decrease the chances of this happening again.

We also need to take a stronger stance on mental health issues. When we see something troubling on social media, we should be reporting it. Here are some ways you can do something today.

DONATE to a gun safety advocacy group, like Everytown or Moms Demand Action. 

GIVE directly to the Uvalde victims’ family on GoFundMe.

GET INVOLVED LOCALLY by exploring Everytown’s state-by-state guide to statistics and current initiatives.

CALL or write to your elected officials to tell them you support gun safety laws.

VOTE for candidates who align with your gun-safety values, and urge them to actively support these values.

As we reflect on all that’s happened not just this past week but throughout history, I hope we can come together to make our communites and nation safer. Wishing everyone a happy Memorial Day with their loved ones.