Due to the horrific events at the Washington Navy Yard, the hearing scheduled by Senator Durbin on “Stand Your Ground” was postponed from 10 am Sept 17 to an unspecified date and time.  While disappointed that I could not attend this hearing, I did take the opportunity to visit Senator Hagan’s, Senator Burr’s and Representative McIntyre’s offices to urge each to support gun violence prevention legislation.  The events of the previous day only highlighted in my mind the importance of pursuing improved gun violence prevention legislation.  It is sad to think that one of the factors allowing Alexis to obtain a gun is the 1986 Firearms Owners Protection Act which made it more convenient for gun buyers.  According to Kristen Rand, the legislative director at the Violence Policy Center,  “The convenience of the gun owner always seems to trump the right of victims not to be shot”.  This must change.  Let Your Voice Be Heard!

Yesterday was an exceptional day with dozens of concerned individuals including me meeting with over forty representatives to convey our dismay at the continued lack of action by Congress on gun violence prevention.  Many of the participants were gun violence victims or parents and children of gun violence victims.  Their stories are compelling to any normal, caring individual.  They were allowed to tell their stories to the over 40 representative offices visited and ask for each representative’s help in preventing further victims of gun violence.  Our group included two young men whose lives were forever changed due to gun violence,  stopping a career in one case and permanently handicapping in another.  The parents of the young girl from Chicago who participated at a function for President Obama and was killed by a gun shortly thereafter where present and determined to make a difference.  Another young man involved yesterday lost both of his parents to gun violence and has been advocating for improved gun violence prevention ever since.  Parents of victims from the Aurora and Sandy Hook tragedies were present and actively trying to create a change in the attitude of Congress to support common sense gun violence prevention legislation.  Their courage to be a part of this event and to publicly tell their heart wrenching stories to make the gun violence issue real to these representatives was inspiring.  I wish you all could meet them and see their determination.  It was an honor to participate in this event alongside such courageous people.  Many groups were represented at this event including but not limited to the Newtown Action Alliance, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Coalition Against Gun Violence and numerous others.  The letter that was given to the representatives had over 100 organizations supporting this effort including GunControlToday.  The total number of individuals represented by these organizations is over 10 million people.  We are making progress but we need over 100 million to voice their concern for this issue.  

The letter to the representatives that was delivered yesterday listed the names of over 8000 gun violence victims that have occurred since the Sandy Hook tragedy trying to encourage the representatives into action.   At the meetings I attended the argument against passing broader back ground checks centered around mental health issues.  The representatives felt the civil rights of mental health individuals were not being protected sufficiently by the proposed legislation.  It is important to protect civil rights and we encouraged them to consider the civil rights of the gun violence victims too.  It is interesting to note that the potential infringement of the civil rights in a mental health case has been more influential with the representatives than the civil rights of an innocent person who has been shot dead with a gun.  We have an epidemic in this country of gun violence and need to take action to prevent it spreading further.  

The other discussion point raised by some is the real matter of enforcement.  The argument is that the current laws are not enforced so why go to the trouble of adding more laws that will not be enforced.  They have stated that law enforcement officials have told one representative that broader background checks would not make any difference.  There is evidence to the contrary.  Statistics from those locations that have passed broader background checks clearly demonstrate a reduction  in gun violence, particularly for women in domestic violence cases.  We must as a country take the time and energy to pass additional legislation that can potentially help stop the avalanche of gun violence in this great country.  Why does Congress not want to at least try.  Because it takes an effort and may not be as effective as we would like?  We must do what we can and, if it could help, why would we not do it.  Every state that has had the unfortunate occurrence of a mass gun killing has passed significantly improved gun violence prevention legislation.  Does every state have to experience this type of tragedy before we initiate federal legislation that will help prevent such actions.  I do not think so and urge you to be involved.             Let Your Voice Be Heard! 

There is a rally initiated by the Newtown Action Alliance to address the Congress regarding action on gun violence prevention on the nine month anniversary of the tragedy that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School.   This event will present a list of all gun victims since the tragedy in Newtown, CT to Congress men and women.  Each congressional office will also receive a hand delivered letter demanding expanded background checks.  I am planning to go and support this effort and would welcome anyone from Wilmington who would like to ride along.  My plans are to leave on Sept 16 in the afternoon, stay overnight, attend activities on Sept 17 and return home that evening.  I will meet the group at 10 am in the Dirksen Senate Office Room 226 for Senator Durbin’s Stand Your Ground Hearing.  Please check the Senate Judiciary Committee website to confirm location since it could change – http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/.  You can obtain all the information on this event at the Newtownaction.org website under “Take Action” ( see below copy ).

Let your voice be heard!

Nine Month Sandy Hook Anniversary Trip to Washington D.C.

Join Us In Washington, D.C.!

September 14^th marks the nine month anniversary of the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. According to Slate’s estimate as of August 30, 2013, ~ 7,653 Americans have been killed by guns since Newtown (excluding suicides).  The casualties of gun violence grow each and every day and there has been no federal action taken by congress to pass what the majority of Americans support – universal background checks to save lives and make our communities safer.

In honor of the 26 lives lost on December 14, 2012 and the lives of 7,653 killed by guns since that day, the Newtown Action Alliance is traveling to Washington D.C. with gun violence survivors and victims from across the country on September 17th and 18^th to participate in the following activities:

Attend Senator Durbin’s Stand Your Ground Hearing:

Hearing Before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights:

Date: September 17, 2013

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Location: Dirksen Senate Office Building Room 226

(Room location is tentative; please check Senate Judiciary Committee website to confirm – http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/)

Speak Directly To Congress:

On September 17^th in the afternoon and throughout the day on September 18th , members of the Newtown Action Alliance and other advocates from across the nation will meet with both Democratic and Republican  congressional leaders.

Deliver Important Letters and Lists:

Throughout the two days, we will pound the pavement to visit every congressional office buildings in D.C. to hand-deliver letters to congress demanding background checks and a list of gun violence victims since Newtown.  The background check letter has been signed by over 100 gun violence prevention alliance partners across the country with gun violence prevention organizations from over 25 states.

If your organization is interested in signing the letter then please complete this form:  https://docs.google.com/a/newtownaction.org/forms/d/12HZfMj-g6SIIj_o8lB96yO4gofblklUAFeMYlTQhk2Q/viewform

Press Conference with Legislators:

We will be holding a press conference with key congressional leaders at noon on September 18, 2013 in the Capitol Building.  Please review the video from our 6-month D.C. press conference:

Tentative Schedule:

September 16, 2013

• Out of state guests will arrive (some Newtown NAA members will greet out of state guests)

September 17, 2013

• 6AM Advocates from Newtown, surrounding towns and urban areas in CT will travel down to DC-expected arrival time between 12:30-1PM
• 10:00AM Stand Your Ground Hearing-Dirksen Senate Office Building Room 226
• 12:30-1:30 Quick meeting at Methodist building to meet our groups
• 1:30-6:00PM Meetings with legislators
• 6:00PM Return to hotel
• 7:00PM Dinner at the hotel
• 8:00PM Social at the hotel

 September 18, 2013

• 7:00AM Breakfast at hotel
• 8:00AM Departure to the Capitol
• 9:00AM-Noon Meeting with legislators
• Noon-NAA Press Conference in Room us SVC 203-02
• 1:00PM-6:00PM Additional legislative meetings
• 6:00PM Newtown contingent will travel back home.
• Out of state guests will travel back home.

Hello to all following our efforts to improve gun violence prevention.  Last week I sent donations to both Newtown Action Alliance and Moms Demand Action to help support their courageous efforts to address Congress and local establishments such as Starbucks and Staples.  I encourage all to do the same.  These groups are organized and able to make an impact.  With our help they will keep the pressure on until Congress actually does something to help gun violence prevention.  Today I delivered a letter ( form provided by Moms Demand Action ) to the manager of our local Staples requesting they set a policy of no guns permitted on the premises that was signed by Judy and me.  The manager was very cordial and stated that this was not Staples corporate policy.  I encouraged the manager to request a change in this policy.   She indicated that she would pass on my request.  They need to hear from us.  Let your voice be heard!

Today Margaret Coulter, Health Policy Assistant for Senator Richard Burr, and I had a constructive conversation regarding the impact of mental health issues on gun violence prevention legislation.  Margaret indicated that Senator Burr had concerns pertaining to the privacy protection wording in the bill that was not passed.  He believes the HIPA laws would have been circumvented with the wording used in the bill and therefore could not support it.      He felt the bill could exempt HIPA and he did not agree with doing that.  She stated these were some of the unintended consequences of the bill that prevented Senator Burr from voting for it.  There is no doubt this is an important point but I indicated that the gun violence in this country is out of control  and needs to be addressed.   I asked Margaret to request Senator Burr to author a gun violence prevention bill he would support that addresses broader background checks, clear definitions for assault weapons and magazine capacity limitations.  She said she would tell him my thoughts and thanked me for contacting his office.

Yesterday I tried to call health policy director for Senator Richard Burr to discuss the basic reason for his not voting for expanded background checks.  A voice mail answered the call and I left a message for Anna Abram and Margaret Coulter , health policy assistant.  The purpose was and will be to review the thinking behind this basis for not voting for  broader background checks.  If I do not hear from them by next Tuesday,  I will try again.

Today I wrote letters to both Senator Burr and Senator Hagan thanking them for the audience we were given in their offices at the end of our march and again encouraging each to reconsider their support of gun violence prevention legislation.  Senator Hagan did vote for expanded background checks saying it was common sense.  I encouraged her to consider new definitions for assault weapons to define ones she could support.  I encouraged Senator Burr who did not vote for expanded background checks on the basis that  mental health candidates would not seek help because they would be on record due to background checks.  i adked him to reconsider his position.  A psychologist indicated if they are concerned about being on record they would never seek help in any case.   I look forward to a constructive discussion on this topic.  Both Senators staffs have been recommended to review the recently passed gun violence prevention bill passed in the state of Connecticut.  It is a common sense bill with very good definitions of assault weapons, magazine limitations and background checks that is reasonable and a public safety responsibility.

We ( Judy, Adam and I ) began the day at Senator Richard Burr’s office in a meeting with Ann Woods Hawks one of his legislative counsels involved with gun control issues.  Senator Burr voted against the Expanded Background Checks, ban on Assault Weapons and Restrictions on Magazine Capacity.  We were able to register our strong disappointment in these votes and inquire as to the reasons behind them.  Ann indicated that Senator Burr has a very deep concern for mental health issues and believed that requiring background checks, that would go on record, would prevent people from seeking mental health help.  We expressed our appreciation for this insight and stated that we disagree with the conclusion that expanded background checks would be more harmful than beneficial.  We asked what adjustments Senator Burr might be able to accept to pass expanded background check legislation and Ann referred us to Anna Abram, Health Policy Director for Senator Burr and Margaret Coulter, Health Policy Assistant for Senator Burr.  We will contact them and express our desire to obtain common sense expanded background check legislation.  We asked Ann to encourage Senator Burr to reconsider his position when 90 % of Americans, including gun owners, support expanded background checks.  We also requested that Senator Burr study the most recent gun legislation passed by the state of Connecticut which represents a responsible, reasonable, common sense approach to gun violence prevention.  Adam commented that Senator Burr should consider supporting this type of common sense legislation now before a tragedy happens in North Carolina that prompts such action as it has in many other states.  We expressed our appreciation for the dialogue and Ann indicated that Senator Burr would be informed of our visit and comments.  Ann indicated that Senator Burr’s strong belief in the 2nd amendment resulted in his voting against banning assault weapons and limiting magazine capacities.  She stated people have the right to bear arms and defend themselves.  We agreed but inquired how much firepower do they need to accomplish this.  She commented that definitions are very important on this issue.

Our next meeting was at Senator Kay Hagan’s office with Margaret Lawrynowicz, legislative assistant for Senator Hagan on firearm issues and Travis Cooke, legislative correspondent for Senator Hagan.  Senator Hagan voted for the expanded background checks and against banning assault weapons and limiting magazine capacities.  Margaret said Senator Hagan supported the expanded background checks legislation because it seemed to be common sense to have background checks on all gun sales not just some.  Margaret indicated Senator Hagan’s vote against banning assault weapons and limiting magazine capacities was due to her belief in the 2nd amendment and the right for all citizens to bear arms and defend themselves.  She further stated that Senator Hagan believes the bill that failed was too broad and needed to be more narrowly defined to gain enough traction to pass regarding assault weapons specifically.  When asked what could be done to assist passing common sense, responsible gun violence prevention legislation Margaret said that the most important issue is education.  People need to understand what is actually in the proposed legislation and know that it will not be taking away their weapons or preventing them from defending themselves.  We expressed our appreciation for their time and the discussion and asked them to encourage Senator Hagan to reconsider her position on banning assault weapons and limiting magazine capacites.  We also made clear how grateful we are for Senator Hagan’s courage in voting for the expanded background checks.

Our last stop was at Representative Mike McIntyre’s office to encourage him to sponsor the HR 1565.  Although he was not there, Andrew Simpson, legislative correspondent / N.C. Executive Assistant, was and made note of our request.  Andrew was very gracious since we did not have an appointment and gave us a tour of Representative McIntyre’s office and said he would be sure to pass on our request to Representative McIntyre.

We had accomplished the march and spoken with our elected representatives offices to make our voices heard.  It was an amazing morning and we were all very impressed with the process involved in approaching and trying to influence our elected officials.  We left Washington, D. C. with the definite feeling that with all its faults, we are very proud to be citizens of the United States of America.

An amazing finish to a long trek.  Our son Adam walked the whole way into DC with us.  We met friends Barbara and Charlie Brooks along the way and we all marched through DC together.  At the White House we joined a demonstration for gun control and met some terrific people lead by a dynamic, warm Linda.  Check out the fabulous signs they made in our pictures.  They are at the White House every Monday.  Great effort.  When we arrived at the Capitol Building we were met by Jenn Hoppe, her adorable daughter Caroline and Chris Gregory from Moms Against Violence.  A very special greeting.  Chris spent much time with us and helped us learn how to get around in the Senate buildings.  Thanks Chris for the tutorial.  Another Maryland group led by Sylvia also met us there after contacting me this morning when she heard we would be arriving at the Capitol Building around noon.  It was amazing to meet and get to hear the efforts of others advocating against gun violence.  All in all a very rewarding and overwhelming day and conclusion to our march.  But be assured the march is the begining not the end of our efforts.

Today was spectacular with sunny skies, sidewalks most of the way, light winds and especially the company of our son Adam.  It was the last long day before the relatively short walk into DC tomorrow – just 3 hours.  Can’t wait,  we are all very excited.

Today was a special one since an old college friend, Dave Simmons, joined us for the morning march and my  son and his family flew in to join the march to DC.  Along the way two people did a u-turn and came back to talk with us.  See the picture of Wendy with whom I Fahd a very intelligent discussion on gun control.  several times groups of kids asked what the sign was all about and we had good discussions explaining what Congress could have done but did not.  our friend Barbara called and we started making plans for Mondays march on DC

Today was a day of contrasts.  The route was mostly in the country with beautiful scenery but more animals than people.  The weather turned rather cool at 55 degrees with blustery winds and occasional light showers.  The raincoat felt good for protection against rain and wind.  

Good luck today,  the rain held off and we were dry all the way.  Erin was a trooper and held out for it all.  An inspiration for old Dad.  We received our first applause today in the outskirts of Philadephia by a group of teenagers.  Attached is their picture and they were so excited to hold the signs.  Definitely put a little spring in our step.  Notice the before and after pictures.