What common sense gun reform looks like:
I am incredibly grateful for the courage my colleagues in the House of Representatives showed. They stood up to the gun lobby and gun extremists to pass not one, but eight critical policies which pave the way for much needed gun safety reform.
The bill they passed will raise the minimum age to buy assault rifles from 18 to 21, require safe storage, and ban bump stocks. It will also close loopholes and establish new standards for tracing firearms, helping law enforcement keep guns from falling into the wrong hands. And today, they passed a bill creating a nationwide red flag law.
Unfortunately, MAGA Republicans are working in lockstep with the gun industry to oppose even the most common-sense reforms in the Senate. Their position is that we must allow teenagers to buy military-style weaponry, so you know they're way out of touch. It is just unconscionable that these kinds of extremists get to use the secret, silent filibuster to veto legislation supported by three-quarters of Americans or more.
I know people like you have worked so hard to elect Democrats and are beyond frustrated that even with control over the House, the Senate, and the presidency we can't do things that are popular, like common sense gun safety legislation. I am so frustrated too.
But we have a math problem: we just don't have the votes in a 50-50 Senate. That's why, despite all you've done to help win elections and keep the pressure on, I'm asking you for more. We're not insurrectionists or authoritarians—the way we change the law is to win elections. Even when we're tired, even when we're angry, even when we're frustrated.
We have the power to overcome the gun industry's grip on Congress, but it's going to take all of us showing up this election. So I'm counting on you to chip in $16 now and grow our movement to epic proportions. Our kids' lives are at stake. Let's get it done.
Onward.
Jeff
