Last week I was invited to join 250 mothers, fathers, grandparents, and survivors from over 30 states at the White House and the U.S. Capitol to work for gun violence prevention.
My new colleagues - Dr. Michelle Sandberg, a pediatrician from San Jose, CA and Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action from Zionsville, IN (and a Mizzou grad!) joined forces, even though we had yet to meet, and published a op-ed in Huffington Post about the MOMS TAKE THE HILL DAY.
After meetings at the White House with Valerie Jarrett (President Obama's chief advisor) and other White House staff, we lobbied 93 Congressional offices in favor of universal background checks, assault weapons ban renewal and limits on high magazine clips. Sponsored by Moms Demand Action and Mayors Against Illegal Guns, our group included assistance from the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, the Brady Campaign and other longtime organizations working to save lives.
It was an emotional day - working alongside gun violence survivors and those from Newtown who arrived by bicycle (see the Washington Post Sandy Hook Ride), elected officials who have experienced gun violence firsthand themselves and gun owners - all insistent about stopping senseless shootings.
PRESS CONFERENCE ON CAPITOL HILL IN ROOM NAMED FOR GABE ZIMMERMAN, the aide to former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who died in the Tucson massacre.
Standing 2nd from the left at our Press Conference on Capitol Hill : With Congresswomen Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Elizabeth Esty (D-CT), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action and Democratic Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
The most important part of the day was talking with our district's elected officials in Congress - Senator Claire McCaskill and Congressman Lacy Clay Jr. about their support of the Background Check bill. Sponsored by Sen. Chuck Schumer,S.374, passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee by a partyline vote just last week and is headed soon to the Senate floor.
An overwhelming 91% of Americans AND 85% of Missourians support background checks for all gun sales - including over 75% of gun owners and NRA members.
And what did they say?
Sen. McCaskill's office: Uncommitted even though they've seen the polling. Her staff told us that she only hears from gun rights voters but hardly anything from the 85% of us. We need to fix that.
CALL SEN. MCCASKILL'S OFFICE NOW - 202. 224.6154
Cong. Lacy Clay Jr's office: He told us personally that he is a co-sponsor of the House bill and is 110% on board.
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