The WBAI is still heartbroken over the gun violence suffered by our friends, families, and colleagues in Highland Park on July 4, 2022. The mental and physical pain experienced by our community will stay with us for a lifetime. This latest tragedy was preventable. While condolences carry some comfort, now is the time for action!
We call on our membership to make your voices heard. In the 10 years since Sandy Hook, there have been over 1,000 incidents of gunfire at schools and colleges. In 2022 alone, there have been over 300 mass shootings – or approximately four per week – in America. Just this past Sunday, July 17, 2022, another mass shooter killed three people and injured a 12-year-old girl at a mall in Greenwood, Indiana. There are many ways to aid our communities in ending this epidemic of violence. It is time to demand stronger legislation and red flag laws. The WBAI’s Board of Directors and Legally Moms Committee stand behind the following efforts as fierce advocates for the rights and wellbeing of mothers, children and families.
1. Contribute to the Highland Park Foundation
2. Attend a Moms Demand Action Meeting
3. Support March Fourth – A group of NorthShore moms that marched in Washington DC, 7/13/22, to ban assault weapons
4. Support House Bill 5522, which makes it unlawful to deliver, sell, or purchase an assault weapon, assault weapon attachment, .50 caliber rifle, or .50 caliber cartridge. Call your local Illinois representatives and the following Sponsors representatives to let them know you support the bill:
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- Find your legislator: https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/DistrictLocator/AddressFinder.aspx
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- Representative Maura Hirschauer – (217) 782-1653
- Representative Terra Costa Howard – (217) 782-8037
- Representative Janey Yang Rohr – (217) 782-6507
- Representative Justin Slaughter – (217) 782-0010
- Representative Bob Morgan – (217) 782-0902
- Representative Edgar Gonzalez – (217) 782-7752
5. Support the proposal of “white flag law” legislation in Illinois. Under the bill, if a minor has an incident where they are a threat to themselves or others, the white flag provision would be triggered, preventing that person from obtaining a FOID card until they are 24 years old which would prevent Illinois from issuing them state Firearm Owner Identification (FOID) Cards until they reach the age of 24. Contact your local Illinois representative and Representative Deb Conroy to let them know you support to the bill.
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- Representative Deb Conroy – (217) 782-8158
6. Learn more about and use the Firearm Restraining Order Act https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=3877&ChapterID=39
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Footnotes
1. https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/blog/gun-violence/16-facts-about-gun-violence-and-school-shootings/
2. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/06/02/mass-shootings-in-2022/