In response to the tragic shootings in recent weeks some in the congregation have asked for action steps they might take to accompany our prayers. In the days after the shooting, local Kansas City clergy gathered to call for increased gun safety and better mental health as well as a host of other options. For those who wish to encourage elected leaders to do something different in order to heal and bring wholeness to our fragmented world, the Everyday Justice small group of the church provides the following resources. It is up to each of us to advocate for what we see are the next best steps.
If you would like to speak up by contacting your senators, here are some helpful tips:
- Find your senators for Kansas, Missouri, or another state at https://www.senate.gov/
senators/senators-contact.htm. Use the “Choose a State” drop-down box at the top of the page to find a mailing address and phone number for your senators’ offices. This page also provides a standard mailing address for all state senators (just include the senator’s name). - In your message, you can broadly advocate for general “common sense gun laws” to be proposed and passed. You can also mention certain bills and actions like the ones below:
- Support for Steve Dettelbach to lead the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (https://www.npr.org/2022/04/
11/1091955028/biden-atf- nominee-ghost-guns) - Support for H.R.8, Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021 (https://www.congress.gov/
bill/117th-congress/house- bill/8) - Support for H.R.1446, Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021 (https://www.congress.gov/
bill/117th-congress/house- bill/1446) - Support for H.R.1454, Ghost Guns are Guns Act (https://www.congress.gov/
bill/117th-congress/house- bill/1454) - Support for S.527, The Protecting Dometic Violence and Stalking Victims Act (https://www.congress.gov/
bill/117th-congress/senate- bill/527/text) - Support for H.R.4139, the Lori Jackson – Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act (https://www.congress.gov/
bill/117th-congress/house- bill/4139?s=1&r=3) - Support for H.R.3214, the Equal Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act (https://www.congress.gov/
bill/116th-congress/house- bill/3214) - Support for H.R.748, Ethan’s Law (https://www.congress.gov/
bill/117th-congress/house- bill/748) - Support for H.R.4721, the Keeping Gun Dealers Honest Act and the Break the Cycle of Violence Act (https://www.congress.gov/
bill/117th-congress/house- bill/4271?s=1&r=5)
- Support for Steve Dettelbach to lead the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (https://www.npr.org/2022/04/
- You can use the template below for a letter or a phone call.
- Find out more about gun laws in Kansas and Missouri at https://www.kansascity.com/
news/politics-government/ article261799362.html
Template: Fill in the name of your senator, state, along with some information about yourself at the beginning to guide your contact.
Dear Senator [NAME],
I am… and I am writing out of deep concern for the safety of our common people, particularly our children, with the ongoing crisis of gun violence across our country. Enough is enough, and action must be taken to pass common-sense gun safety laws that would help curb violence and protect innocent lives.
We have more regulations in place for baby cribs than we do gun safety measures yet based on a report from US Consumer Product Safety Commission only an estimated 30 babies die from a crib related accident each year; contrast that with 1839 children who die from gun violence each year according to the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project.
I ask the following of you now:
- Support…
- Support…
- Support…
Please, [SENATOR NAME], I ask you lead our senate to start taking action and change the way our country protects their arms more than their people.
Thank you for representing your fellow [STATE] citizen in your vote.