This is madness. We must act now to save lives.

This is madness.

Weapons of war, wielded by teenagers, used to slaughter children.

Thoughts and prayers or moments of silence are important for those who are suffering but they are not action. They don't change laws and they don't save lives.

This is a time for action.

We must act to save lives.

To be sure, nothing will stop all these shootings, but basic gun safety laws would prevent some shootings and save lives.

The American people overwhelmingly support universal background checks. The American people overwhelmingly support a ban on military-style assault weapons. These ideas are only controversial inside the one building in America that has the power to act – the United States Capitol.

It is time for leaders in the Republican Party to walk away from the gun lobby. Extremists that represent a small minority of Americans should not have a veto that prevents action.

Every Senator that upholds a filibuster that blocks the Senate from debating and voting on commonsense gun safety measures should look into the eyes of a child and know that that child's life is at grave risk due to their failure to act.

We must act. We must act now. We must act now to save lives.

Onward.

Jeff