We Cannot Give in to Despair.
On Memorial Day I usually say something about my father and uncles who served in World War II, my friends and colleagues who went to Korea and Vietnam and so on. This Memorial Day calls in the voices from Buffalo and Uvalde and dozens of other places in America for something else. They call for action.
- The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that the proliferation of handguns and semiautomatic assault weapons in the United States is a major health and safety threat to its citizens.
- The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that the proliferation of handguns and semiautomatic assault weapons in the United States is a major health and safety threat to its citizens.
- The League supports strong federal measures to limit the accessibility and regulate the ownership of these weapons by private citizens.
- The League supports regulating firearms for consumer safety.
- The League supports licensing procedures for gun ownership by private citizens to include a waiting period for background checks, personal identity verification, gun safety education, and annual license renewal. The license fee should be adequate to bear the cost of education and verification.
- The League supports a ban on “Saturday night specials,” enforcement of strict penalties for the improper possession of and crimes committed with handguns and assault weapons, and allocation of resources to better regulate and monitor gun dealers.
Gun Safety LWVUS Position
From Buffalo, NY on May 14, 2022:
“The League of Women Voters of Buffalo-Niagara, the League of Women Voters of New York State, and the League of Women Voters of the United States issued the following statement on the mass shooting in Buffalo, New York:
This weekend, a terrorist with a violent and racist agenda brought tragedy to the Black community in Buffalo.
It ends as follows:
- Continued white supremacist attacks in our country make it clear that our leaders must do more to ensure anti-racism education in schools, curb the amplification of white supremacy on social media, and protect Americans against the threat of gun violence.
- Our nation has an ugly history of extreme violence against Black Americans that continues today.”
- “In a true democracy, everyone can live freely without the threat of extreme violence against their community. A racist attack on the Black community is an attack on American democracy.”
LWV Condems Buffalo Shooting LWVUS Press Release
And from Austin, Texas on May 24, 2022:
League of Women Voters of Texas Statement on Mass Shooting in Uvalde:
A Child’s Life Outweighs Anyone’s Right to Keep and Bear Arms
Here is how their statement began: "It is hard to find the words to respond to the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, that killed 19 students and two adults.” The statement goes on with a variety of research-based suggestions for addressing gun violence, and ends as follows:
- "Gun violence prevention is not partisan. Study the candidates who will be on your November ballot and learn their positions on gun violence prevention. “
- ”Communicate with your legislators . . . as well as their opponents to let them know that gun violence prevention is important to you and that all lives, especially children’s, are just as important as the second amendment."
Uvalde Mass Shooting LWV of Texas Press Release
Can't we all do that and more?
Blog Date: May 30, 2022
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Becky Newman
