Call to Action: Speak Up for Gun Safety Laws (February 25, 2019)
SPEAK UP FOR GUN SAFETY LAWS
We should be safe in America. But every day, 100 people die from gun violence. And every hour of every day, a child is wounded or killed by a gun. Now momentum is building for sensible gun control laws.
Momentum is strongest (97% approval) for expanding background checks to include informal sales at gun shows.
A bipartisan bill with just such a feature, known as HR 8, was introduced into the House of Representatives last month. It is expected to pass the House this week. Then it goes to a Senate where chances of passing are slim.
To be effective, experts say broader background checks must be part of a larger network of gun safety laws. This is where Oregon is stepping up. After an election that handed Democrats in Oregon a supermajority, gun safety proposals are multiplying in Salem.
Tomorrow, 300-plus gun safety advocates will lobby legislators in Salem for laws that:
- Encourage responsible gun storage and leaves owners responsible if those weapons cause harm
- Strengthens gun relinquishment requirements for people convicted of domestic violence or stalking
The NRA’s hold on politicians is somewhat weaker today. Our representatives in DC and Salem need to support gun safety measures—LOUDLY!
Universal Background Checks!
Enough Is Enough!
**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR SENATORS**
Sample script for Senators Wyden and Merkley:
(Leave a message if you can’t get through)
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because we need to end gun violence in this country. I thank the Senator for co-sponsoring S. 42 – the companion to HR 8 – for universal background checks. Please ask the Senator to push for a vote on S. 42 in the Senate. This is a commonsense first step toward gun violence prevention. Thank you.”
SENATOR RON WYDEN
Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/contact/
SENATOR JEFF MERKLEY
Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/contact/
**ACTION TWO: CALL COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN**
Sample script for Greg Walden:
(Leave a message if you can’t get through)
“My name is [
COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN
DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
https://walden.house.gov/contact-greg/email-me
**ACTION THREE: STAND UP FOR GUN SAFETY IN OREGON**
Join more than 300 activists attending the gun violence prevention lobby day in Salem tomorrow. Sign up and get details at the Moms Demand Action website at https://west-moms.ngpvanhost.com/ngpvanforms/29289
If you cannot come to Salem please call or email your representatives and tell them to pass domestic violence relinquishment measures and require responsible storage of firearms.
**ACTION FOUR: BE AN ACTIVIST**
Visit the ORD2 Indivisible Event Calendar on a regular basis to keep updated on our local activities. Participate with us as often as you can. Check out the following:
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: SOCAN’s February Monthly Meeting: Bugged by Global Warming: Insects in a Changing Climate – Medford
February 26 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-socans-february-monthly-meeting-bugged-by-global-warming-insects-in-a-changing-climate-medford/
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: Political Repression in the Era of Climate Crisis – Talent
February 27 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-political-repression-in-the-era-of-climate-crisis-talent/
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: Strategies and Stories from the German Climate Justice Movement – Grants Pass
March 5 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-strategies-and-stories-from-the-german-climate-justice-movement-grants-pass/
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: Take Action in Salem to Stop Jordan Cove LNG – Salem
March 28 @ 9:30 am – 4:30 pm REGISTRATION IS DUE BY MARCH 15
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-take-action-in-salem-to-stop-jordan-cove-lng-salem/
SUBMIT EVENTS TO BE ADDED TO THE ORD2 INDIVISIBLE EVENT CALENDAR
Help us keep current with our event postings. https://ord2indivisible.org/submit-your-event/
SOURCES:
CNN, Dec. 24, 2018: “Gun deaths in US reach highest level in nearly 40 years, CDC data reveals.”
Washington Post: “Democrats are making universal background checks a priority. They’re right to do so.”
Vox, Feb. 6, 2019: “Democrats need to think way bigger on guns”
KEZI Television, Jan. 15, 2019: “Gun control bills up for debate in Oregon’s 2019 legislative session”
