Take action to stop gun violence

In the wake of five high-profile shooter rampages in eight days, we've read news articles including possible motives, descriptions of the heroic responses from police and sound bites from presidential candidates.

As supporters of our local Moms Demand Action group, we believe the news coverage is missing a key element of the conversation: suggestions for what we can do to stop the bloodshed.

Moms Demand Action is a grass-roots, nonpartisan movement of Americans fighting for public safety measures that can keep our families safe from gun violence.

While this crisis is complex, several studies suggest that laws that enable firearm access during emotionally charged moments correlate with gun violence. Moms Demand Action advocates for common-sense, evidence-based policies to minimize the loss of life from firearms without infringing on the rights of our fellow citizens.

Take action today as an American by calling Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to demand a vote on the House-passed bill to require background checks on all gun sales. Similar laws at the state level have blocked over 3.5 million sales to violent criminals and other prohibited people.

Take action today as an Illinoisan by urging your state senator to pass the Fix the FOID act. This bill will empower police to seize a person's firearms when their FOID card is revoked, an action that could have prevented this February's shooting in Aurora. The bill also includes a fingerprinting requirement for future FOID applicants, a provision Connecticut adopted to reduce gun homicides by 40% over 10 years.

Take action locally by finding Moms Demand Action (NW Chicago Suburbs) on Facebook, texting READY to 644-33 to stay informed of future events and committing to hold your legislators accountable for ending this crisis.

Mary Kay Baldino and seven others

Arlington Heights