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Not even a full two months have gone by this year and there have already been eight school shootings. The most recent happened in Parkland, Florida at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
There are 17 confirmed deaths and the number could rise if the injured don’t make it. Students from the school, celebrities and a few politicians have been tweeting and expressing the need for stricter gun control.
I was hiding in a closet for 2 hours. It was about guns. You weren't there, you don't know how it felt. Guns give these disgusting people the ability to kill other human beings. This IS about guns and this is about all the people who had their life abruptly ended because of guns. https://t.co/XnzhvuN1zd
— carly (@car_nove) February 15, 2018
Whoa. David Hogg, survivor of Florida school shooting:
"This is the 18th one this year. That’s unacceptable. We're children. You guys are the adults. You need to take some action and play a role.”pic.twitter.com/WjUAQDKV93#ThursdayThoughts #GunReformNow
— Holly Figueroa O'Reilly (@AynRandPaulRyan) February 15, 2018
If you’re one of those people who agree that the U.S. needs stricter gun laws this is how you can contact your representative to voice your opinion.
Contacting your rep may seem daunting, but the truth is they’re in office to represent YOU so your political voice and opinion do matter to them.
Everytown is an organization trying to end gun violence and enable gun safety. They can help you figure out who your state reps are.
All you have to do is fill out a form with your information. It will then show you who your reps are and you can click the boxes of who you want to contact. After clicking “Connect me” it will direct you to a dialogue so you know exactly what to say.
If calling isn’t your style you can text your reps to let them know where you stand on gun control. Text ACT to 644-33 to reach out to your state reps. Texting rates may apply so just be careful if you don’t have an unlimited plan.
Some things shouldn’t be all-American. Join the movement to end gun violence: Text ACT to 644-33. #Parkland pic.twitter.com/etRDSj5NKm
— Everytown (@Everytown) February 15, 2018
Or you can call Congress directly, (202)-224-3121 is the number for the Congress switchboard. From there you can ask to speak to your state representative. Reps only consider their own constituents concerns so please only contact your state reps and not another state’s.
If you are at a loss for what to say to your representative Vox has compiled some statistics about gun violence in America. These stats are a great jumping off point. Just remember that you’ll most likely be talking to an aide, so be polite, factual and clear.