Elect candidates who don't fear the NRA

If you want sensible gun laws, then don't elect Republican candidates to Congress. They are afraid of NRA money being used against them during the election.

Recently, former Republican Florida congressman David Jolly, on the Morning Joe TV program, said as much, going as far as saying that for sensible gun laws to be passed, Congress must be flipped to Democratic control.

Ninety-five percent of Americans want sensible gun laws yet most Republican politicians side with the 5 percent. We can have thorough, no-exception universal background checks, weeding out people with mental problems as well as other people who should not have guns. We can prohibit gun sales to people on the No Fly List. We can prohibit sale of assault rifles, bump stocks, large capacity magazines, large capacity clips, etc.

We can do all these things while still allowing gun ownership for law-abiding citizens. Vote for a Democratic candidate or for a Republican candidate who is not afraid of the NRA.

You don't have to wait for the next election to act, call your Republican representative's office and demand that he/she stand with the 95 percent. Convince your neighbors, friends and relatives to do the same. Urge them to urge their neighbors, friends, and relatives to contact Republican politicians, creating a flood of voters advocating sensible gun laws.

Contact your representative frequently, not just one time. Don't stop until we get sensible gun laws. Republican politicians are afraid of NRA money but they are more afraid of thousands of their voters demanding action.

Yes, your effort will take a few minutes. Ask yourself how much of your time are you willing to spend to protect your loved ones. Survivors of dead/maimed gun victims wish they had done something before the violence affected them.

James Backes

Des Plaines