By Emily Laptad and Kelcie McKenney

Yesterday’s gun violence at the Chiefs Super Bowl Victory Celebration absolutely shattered our hearts here at Catcall. Most of our staff is based in the Kansas City metro, and today we find ourselves so incredibly sad, angry, and helpless. When will enough be enough? 

The worst part of all of this is we shouldn’t have to imagine a mass shooting happening on the streets we walk on. How many times have you prepared to go to a big event and wondered if this might be the day you experience gun violence up close and personal?

On days like these, it’s easy to feel powerless. To think, why should I even raise my voice when politicians only send their “thoughts and prayers,” only to take no action and send their “thoughts and prayers” yet again when the next shooting happens in the United States—because it will.

But here at Catcall, we refuse to be silent. We will scream until our throats are raw. We will continue the fight for common sense gun laws, no matter how long it takes. Because there will be a next time. 

Gun Violence by the Numbers

From The Gun Violence Archive:

• There were 656 mass shootings in the U.S. in 2023.
• Guns claimed 43,065 American lives in 2023.
• 1,682 of those lives were children under the age of 17.
• Another 36,338 Americans were injured by a gun in 2023.

There are 120 guns per 100 people in the U.S., the largest guns per capita in the world, according to SAS. The second largest guns per capita country is The Falkland Islands, with 62 guns per 100 people. 

In 2023, 63% of Americans were dissatisfied with gun laws, according to Gallup. 63% of Americans are asking for change, and it’s past time we get it.

“The United States is not the only country with mental illness, domestic violence, video games, or hate-fueled ideologies, but our gun homicide rate is 26 times higher than our peer countries. The difference is easy access to guns. In fact, even within the U.S., states with weaker gun laws and higher gun ownership rates have higher rates of mass shootings,” says Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the U.S. 

“Lawmakers must act to require background checks on all gun sales, support Extreme Risk laws that provide a process to temporarily remove guns from people showing warning signs, keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers, and restrict assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.”

Support Organizations Doing the Work

These nonprofits and organizations work every day to advocate for a safer America with stricter gun laws—from a grassroots organizing to prevention policies. 

Everytown for Gun Safety 

“Gun violence touches every town in America. For too long, life-saving laws have been thwarted by the gun lobby and by leaders who refuse to take common-sense steps that will save lives. But something is changing. Nearly 10 million mayors, moms, teachers, survivors, gun owners, students, and everyday Americans have come together to make their own communities safer. Everytown starts with you, and it starts in your neighborhood. By introducing evidence-based solutions in every town, we can end gun violence.”

Alliance for Gun Responsibility

“The Alliance for Gun Responsibility works to save lives and eliminate the harms caused by gun violence in every community through advocacy, education, and partnerships.”

Sandy Hook Promise 

“Sandy Hook Promise is a national nonprofit organization founded and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. Based in Newtown, Connecticut, our intent is to honor all victims of gun violence by turning our tragedy into a moment of transformation. By empowering youth to “know the signs” and uniting all people who value the protection of children, we can take meaningful actions in schools, homes, and communities to prevent gun violence and stop the tragic loss of life.”

Brady 

“There is no one solution to end this epidemic of gun violence. So our comprehensive approach addresses every aspect with more than 45 years of research and real-world experience. Let’s put the Brady plan into action now and get the job done right.”

March for Our Lives 

“Born out of a tragic school shooting, March For Our Lives is a courageous youth-led movement dedicated to promoting civic engagement, education, and direct action by youth to eliminate the epidemic of gun violence. We aim to create safe and healthy communities and livelihoods where gun violence is obsolete.”

Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence

“Teachers Unify is a grassroots movement of educators across America whose mission is to empower its constituents and supporters to demand that communities are safe from gun violence.”

Violence Policy Center

“The Violence Policy Center (VPC) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt national educational organization that works to stop gun death and injury through research, education, advocacy, and collaboration. Founded in 1988 by Executive Director Josh Sugarmann, a native of Newtown, Connecticut, the VPC informs the public about the impact of gun violence on their daily lives, exposes the profit-driven marketing and lobbying activities of the firearms industry and gun lobby, offers unique technical expertise to policymakers, organizations, and advocates on the federal, state, and local levels, and advocates for effective gun violence prevention policies.”

Moms Demand Action 

“Moms Demand Action is a grassroots movement of Americans fighting for public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence. We pass stronger gun laws and work to close the loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our families. We also work in our own communities and with business leaders to encourage a culture of responsible gun ownership. We know that gun violence is preventable, and we’re committed to doing what it takes to keep families safe.”

Contact Your Congressional Representatives

Tell your representatives how you feel. Visit commoncause.org/find-your-representative to get contact info for your Congressional representatives. We made this template with help from this Everytown template and this DC Area Moms template. Use it as a starting point, or write your own letter.

Dear Lawmaker,

I am writing to you as a constituent filled with grief, fear, and anger.

As we reel from the mass shooting in Kansas City, Missouri, and the countless acts of daily preventable gun violence in communities across the country, I am urging you to take action to support the following gun control reforms:

• We need to require universal background checks on all gun purchases.
• Prohibit assault weapons. Assault weapons make shootings more lethal, and prohibiting assault weapons can prevent mass shooting injuries and deaths.
• Repeal gun industry immunity. The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) blocks legal responsibility for gun manufacturers that have failed to innovate and make guns safer, and for manufacturers, distributors, and dealers with irresponsible, reckless and negligent sales practices that contribute to the flood of illegal firearms in our communities. The gun industry should adhere to the same rules as every other industry and be held accountable when its actions result in harm.

Please, I’m urging you to prioritize public safety. We have the human right to live free from gun violence, and the U.S. government has an obligation to protect that right. Take action and save lives by passing common sense gun laws now.

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