Elections may seem complicated, but they’re really just a simple math problem. We know 80% of Washingtonvoters support making our state safer by extending criminal background checks to all gun purchases. We’re going to need 50% + 1 of the votes next year for something called I-594.
Slam dunk, right?
Not so fast. We also know our opponents will do everything they can to scare and confuse voters.
To make criminal background checks a reality, we need to reach out to millions of voters to let them know what I-594 will do — and to defeat the scare tactics and misinformation the gun lobby will use to intimidate folks into voting against a measure that even gun owners overwhelmingly support.
That takes a lot of work, a lot of planning, and a lot of support from thousands of committed people just like you.
Thanks to the generous support of more than 2,500 donors we are in good shape — but to keep on track, we need 594 more to stand up for a safer Washington by November 22.
I’d like to say that I can’t believe this — but almost nothing the gunlobbyists do surprises me anymore.
But here it is: A political operation working with gun lobbyists decided to declareDecember 14 — the anniversary of the tragic massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary — “Guns Save Lives Day.”
You read that right.
Naturally, they immediately bowed to pressure to not hold their crass political event on the anniversary of the shooting deaths of 28 people — most of them children — to score cheap political points and raise cash to support their organization.
I’ve worked in politics a long time. But it is really rare to see something so crass and so brazen as to try to exploit the senseless deaths of children to build your network and raise money to support the very thing that stole them from their parents and friends.
It is unconscionable.
Even worse, their terrible antics give a bad name to so many well-intentioned gun owners — the majority of whom fully support sensible reforms like I-594, our initiative to require background checks on all gun purchases in Washington.
But these aren’t genuine people — they’re political consultants and lobbyists who only care about making headlines and lining their coffers.
The only way to stop them holding this event is for public opposition to grow so large, that they will be shamed into canceling this event. But we need huge numbers on this open letter to make it happen.
Yesterday, in Aurora, I was inspired by the survivors who returned, and the supporters who came out to remember. Today, all across the country, Demand Action members like you are gathering for a day of action. I’m honored to work with each and every one of you.
We’re not backing down until our leaders step up and pass common-sense gun laws to keep us safe. And now is a moment to remember just what we are fighting for.
Thanks for being a part of this,
Mark
Mark Glaze
In the wake of the tragic mass shooting in Newtown, these artists came together and created some beautiful images to express their outrage and heartbreak at the senseless loss of innocent lives.
And after the shameful vote in the U.S. Senate, their message is more timely than ever. Watch this powerful video and share it with your friends and family today: http://www.demandaction.org/cartoonists/
Thank you for making your voice heard and supporting the gun violence prevention movement.
Philip Seymour Hoffman
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