Gun violence in America terror haunts the victims and their survivors

The photo of the little girl’s face in terror on the bus after the recent mass shooting in Nashville should haunt every American. That visual scar will never be healed.

Echo opinion letter published in the Connecticut Post:

We must act against gun violence❗

Why and how this gun madness continues is the question that both plagues and infuriates. During the media coverage of these slaughters I weep for these families. I also believe that if Sandy Hook couldn’t change the policy views of the NRA and Congress, nothing will.

We hear all these things about polls, but 80 percent of America is for background checks, banning assault weapons, closing gun show loopholes and red flag laws. That’s eight out of every 10 of us and we actually have elected officials with AR-15 pins on their lapels. I mean, forget compromise. “It’s a mental health problem” “It’s the person not the weapon” “This is not the time for politics” “I am for the Second Amendment” and my favorite, “Banning assault weapons and background checks will not change anything.” I so wish one of these reporters would then ask “If you really believe these restrictions won’t change anything than why not support them to make your point.” Today the reality is, this lack of citizenship is on us, this is our responsibility and history will show not enough of us have the determination to bring change partly because this crisis hasn’t directly impacted us. Empathy is not enough.
Change today is harder than ever for some. What brings change? how can we bring change with this madding NRA minority this Filibuster Rule that refutes logic. My suggestion is public humiliation. At the beginning of every newscast, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, PBS MSNBC should start their program with the photo of our elected legislators that have voted against gun reform. 

Start with the AR-15 lapels legislator’s then work your way down to legislators with upcoming elections. Then with the permission of the parents show the photo’s of all the victims of mass shootings. 

Let America see the hundred or so congressmen and senators that will not listen to the 240 million of us who only want common sense gun reform. These cowards have no problem with hypocrisy. Watch how fast they would change their position if every day three times a day they were televised / streamed as a supporters of mass shootings. Clearly the media can impact change, 90 seconds three times a day. This is not political this is the truth. 

We have to do more, because one day, one of these assailants is going to show us all how we failed our children. 

Reacting has not worked. Instead, it is time for urgent action.

From John Skerritt in Hamden Connecticut