Lauren Jasinski, former Oxford High School teacher and member of End Gun Violence Michigan, gave an excellent presentation on the latest gun-violence statistics and an overview of the gun-safety bills going through the Michigan Legislature:
Senate Bills (SB) 76-78: Universal background checks for purchase of all firearms. Currently, checks are required only for those buying pistols.
SB 79-82: Requires safe storage of firearms
SB 83-86 ("red flag" bill): Prevents someone from possessing or purchasing a firearm if they pose a danger to another, for example, in cases of domestic abuse.
If you haven't already done so, please take any of these actions:
Lobby your elected officials:
1. Contact your state senators and ask them to support these packages of bills. Phone calls are just as effective as letters. If you call after offices are closed, leave a short message telling them to pass these bills.
2. Contact your state representatives and ask them to call for hearings on these bills.
Find your senators' and reps' contact info here:
https://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(2ewuhqjypphbnjzgx54gs4fp))/mileg.aspx?page=legislators
3. Demand that the U.S. Congress ban assault weapons. The American Federation of Teachers is sponsoring a letter-writing campaign: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/assault-weapons-ban-2023?source=direct_link&
Attend any of these events, and bring a friend!
March 6, 10 a.m.: Community forum at Jordan Missionary Baptist Church, 703 Newport Street, Detroit. For info and to register: RSVP: Faith Forum on Gun Violence
March 15: Rally for gun safety at the state Capitol. RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rally-for-gun-safety-at-the-michigan-state-capitol-tickets-554136596477
March 22: Advocacy Day at the Capitol, by Michigan United Methodists. Lobby your state elected officials. Training sessions required: March 7, 13, and 21. https://michiganumc.org/advocacy-day-2023/
Get more involved!
Join End Gun Violence Michigan (https://www.migunsafety.org/), March For Our Lives Michigan (https://marchforourlives.com/chapters/), Moms Demand Action (https://momsdemandaction.org/) or any of the gun control groups out there.
And of course, we invite you to join WILPF! (https://wilpfus.org/)
