What can we do to help make a change???

These mass school shootings HAVE to stop. The events in FL have me heartbroken. I'm so saddened to hear of more young lives being taken at the hands of a cold blooded killer with a weapon. As parents, we shouldn't have to worry about sending our kids school. They should come safe to us, not in a body bag.

I just can't take this anymore. Sandy Hook still haunts me and EVERY mass shooting since breaks my heart a little more and makes me fear for my children's safety in this nation. If these shootings have taught us anything it's that it can happen to any of us, at any school, at any time. NONE of us are immune. That freaks me out!

So, what can we do???? I want to try and help bring about change. I wrote all of the NYS Senators last night, I will call them later but then what? What is the best course of action here for citizens to be heard and make a change? Give me your ideas.

I can across this website, I'm hoping to check some things off the list.

TAKE ACTION

We can't just let our elected officials continue to sit back and do NOTHING while mass shooting after mass shooting continues to happen. Enough is enough.

Message edited 2/16/2018 9:15:46 AM.

Re: What can we do to help make a change???

For starters, heat needs to be placed on politicians that take money from the NRA and who don't make children's safety a priority. They need to be reminded KIDS BEFORE GUNS! And they need to be held accountable and answer to their constituents. I can't link the video, maybe someone else can, of NRA-backed politicians being confronted and asked what they plan to do beyond just thoughts and prayers and they all avoid the questions and run away. Or the video of Florida governor being asked what he plans to do and he just keeps repeating that we need to pray evil away. At some point many of these politicians forgot that they answer to us, and in all fairness we allowed them to. (And this goes to all politicians on either side of the aisle.) We're so busy arguing and creating division amongst ourselves that we forgot it's actually us against them, not us against us. And they're beyond excited that there's a divide among the people because it allows them to do whatever they want unchecked.

Until WE AS THE PEOPLE wake the f#%k up and FORCE them to work for us or give them the boot, we will just continue to allow them to keep doing what they're doing and dodging answers and nothing will ever change. It needs to start with them because they have the power to make the laws but we have the power to kick them to the curb if they don't! And they need to be reminded of this because they forgot and because they think they're invincible.

Re: What can we do to help make a change???

Re: What can we do to help make a change???

What I have done so far is email and call every senator and congressman that represents me. I have emailed the President and Vice President. I have joined https://everytown.org/

I have also started a FB fundraiser to raise money for https://everytown.org/. and I have also donated.

I have joined my local chapter of https://momsdemandaction.org/

I have my volunteer training scheduled for next week with Everytown.org in conjunction with Moms Demand Action.

I have updated my Amazon Smile account to donate a portion of all of my purchases to everytown.org

I have contacted the Governor of FL for his despicable response to the tragedy bc his pockets are lined by the NRA.

I have contacted Marco Rubio bc he is one of the biggest offenders of all.

I am keeping my eyes open for any marches that may be happening, bc I will be at every.single.one of them.

I have emailed our Superintendent to see what else the school plans to do in the meantime since our govt cant protect our children, this falls on their shoulders.

I have read up and educated myself on the trail of the money from the NRA to our leaders. I am continuing to educate myself.

I have registered to volunteer with Rock the Vote bc getting voters registered and engaged is the key to November and to get the "NRA" out of Congress.

Most importantly, Ive stopped debating on social media and instead taken meaningful action that actually supports a solution to the problem.

Message edited 2/16/2018 11:21:26 PM.

What can we do to help make a change???

Start with your neighbors. Because from what I’ve seen, this island is full of ignorant, pro gun lunatics and these nutbags are voting.

Re: What can we do to help make a change???

Join the sandy hook promise. You can become a leader in your area to help bring about change.

Re: What can we do to help make a change???

I have really been thinking about this a lot. I joined Moms Demand Change and will participate in whatever they have to offer. If I'm being honest, I don't foresee change in our government. I'm all for stricter gun laws but the honest truth is that even if they did make changes, guns will always get in the wrong hands. I know that statement infuriates people but it's the truth. The government can make and enforce laws but there is only so much that can be controlled from a practical standpoint. (How's that war on drugs going for ya?)

The only way I can see any change happening is with our own local schools and businesses. In fact, I am writing my superintendent today to find out what measures are in place. The school districts need to be very proactive in keeping the schools safe. Metal detectors, locked security doors at all entrances, armed security and well practiced emergency plans are our best shot at preventing this in our own schools.

I also feel strongly that schools need to educate the kids that if they hear, see or read anything, anything at all, they need to report it and schools need to take it seriously as does our law enforcement. It's mind boggling that everyone, including the FBI, knew about this kid and this still happened. Not okay. Every threat, every off handed remark has to be taken seriously and dealt with. In this particular instance, not only do the students not seemed surprised by who did this, some of them speak like they expected him to do it! This can not happen again. I'm sure schools already emphasize a see something, say something policy but it really needs to be hammered into them at school and at home.

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Message edited 2/16/2018 11:33:28 AM.

Re: What can we do to help make a change???

Re: What can we do to help make a change???

Yes, those determined to get a gun might still find a way to do so.

But the fact is that this gun, this shooting, was LEGALLY obtained. This could have been prevented. Should have been prevented. Laws like the ones Trump repealed allowing mentally ill people to purchase guns might have prevented this. I cannot accept that people who want to do harm will always find a way. Maybe they will but just because we feel it's hopeless we should make it EASY for them? This mentally deranged child bragged about his arsenal, bragged about wanting to kill people, took training to carry out these acts, and was still able to legally walk into a store and walk out with a gun. No registry, no wait period, no license to carry. That is insane. And I cannot accept the idea that the answer to gun violence is more guns. I feel like I'm taking crazy pills listening to some of these arguments.

ETA: And I don't want to hear any BS about how Trump did it because mentally ill people have rights, too. They do, but that's not why he did it. This man who openly mocks them did not do it for their benefit, but for the benefit of those stuffing money in his and all these other politician's pockets.

But to the question at hand... I, too, am joining these groups, writing to my congress people, following every word about this. We cannot let it rest. We cannot forget as time passes. I believe diligence is key here. And as one of the survivors said, his generation is the one being gunned down in a place where they should be safe and they will not stand for this. I hope if we cannot see the change, they will.

Message edited 2/16/2018 11:49:24 AM.

Re: What can we do to help make a change???

Message edited 2/16/2018 12:07:15 PM.

Re: What can we do to help make a change???

This shooting was a game changer for me, and I will explain why. While I know that I am probably going to get flamed, I ask that you simply try to understand my position and change of heart.
For a long time, I felt that gun laws and further restrictions on the ownership of firearms wouldn't solve the problem we have in this country of gun violence. I watched as every administration attempted to make some changes to remedy the huge problems of gun violence to no avail. I firmly believed that while the bad guy would always get the gun, the answer was to arm the school security guards, and that law-abiding citizens had the right to legally bear firearms without restrictions. While I felt that it was not "necessary" to own high-capacity magazine bearing rifles, these guns existed for legal purchase by civilians, and I thought that made it okay. I truly felt that laws did nothing to stop the gun violence and that no one had a viable solution to the problem.

Yesterday, I changed my mind. After the armed school security guard was helpless in stopping this shooter from murdering all of those innocent children and teachers, I changed my mind. After a failed FBI investigaton allowed this mentally ill boy to go out and legally purchase a military style rifle with high-capacity magazines, I changed my mind.
I think we need to start with how we report issues related to mental illness. I think that military style high capacity rifles should NEVER have been produced for civilian use, and now, I really feel that they should be confiscated, banned, outlawed and taken away, even if force were necessary to do so.
It is the complete opposite of how I felt in the past. I will not allow my children to be sitting ducks in a school that is supposed to keep them safe, armed guards or not. While I still believe that a firearm can be legally purchased for home protection by law-abiding g citizens in good standing, there should be strict limits that are well-regulated and enforced.
My right to bear arms is a privilege that is no longer as important than the lives of my children while in the care of others. Let's start there. Then, we will have to figure out how to get illegal guns out of homes and out of the hands of criminals. Let's see which public figure will step up to defy the Constitution, take on the Supreme Court and make this happen once and for all. I think it is the only way to solve this problem.

Message edited 2/16/2018 12:02:23 PM.

Re: What can we do to help make a change???

Re: What can we do to help make a change???

Thank you everyone for the replies and suggestions. I appreciate it.

Re: What can we do to help make a change???

I feel like I need to think about how I would handle sending my children to school if this were to happen locally. Say if heaven forbid we had this tragedy occur in LI, could you/would you send your kids to school the next day? Can we as parents refuse to send our kids to school on the grounds that it is not safe? Can we stage a national boycott of public schools until something is done to improve safety? Is it fair to use our kids as pawns in this debate or more important to keep them safe? I don’t have an answer to these questions but I can’t get them out of my mind.

There are kids somewhere in America sitting at their desks right now that will be killed by this time next year due to a school massacre. I hope that this is not really true but most likely it is. I want to do something NOW and not in 3 years when there are reelections and perhaps new legislation processes through the government. NOW. I wish I had a better answer for you.

Re: What can we do to help make a change???

Re: What can we do to help make a change???

Re: What can we do to help make a change???

What can we do to help make a change???

i'm on amazon smile anda portion of every purchase goes to "States United To Prevent Gun Violence"

What others have posted above are great ideas and I will look into doing the same

Re: What can we do to help make a change???

We can read up about this nifty bill that ties our hands from even investigating: NRA blocks funding for gun violence research

I found articles on the subject going back a few years. You can find one on the media outlet of your choice after every notable mass shooting dating back at least until Sandy Hook.

We can also research which of our representatives are having their pockets lined by these pigs at the NRA who value their guns over our children: NRA Congressional Payroll

Re: What can we do to help make a change???

The corruption in Washington is DISGUSTING. They are responsible for these kids' deaths in my opinion. They sell us out to the highest bidder. Sickening.

What can we do to help make a change???

I wrote this the other night. It's a *little* long. But there were so many thoughts going through my mind that i needed to get them down. After reading this thread, I wanted to share it here. I put it on facebook but deleted it. I didn't want to hear some pro gun family member's bs. Because I'm done.

2/14/18
Another sad day in America. And we are all responsible.

We the people are responsible. We are talking and saying there needs to be change. But what are we doing? Talk is cheap. We are responsible because we are not voting. We are sitting and waiting for others to make changes.

Gun owners…you are responsible. You are so scared that someone is going to take your guns away. Guess what? Nobody wants to take your damn guns away. We don’t think guns are the whole issue. But gun laws ARE. We want reform! We don’t believe that military grade weapons belong in the hands of civilians. We don’t believe that people with mental illness should be allowed to buy said weapons. We don’t believe that guns that can fire multiple rounds in seconds belong in the hands of just anyone. If you STILL have a problem with that, then you are thicker than mud! And selfish. Is your gun worth more than someone’s child? Will your world crumble if you lost your gun? Would you fall into a deep depression if you lost your gun? Would life as you know it cease to exist if you lost your gun? Want a handgun for protection? That makes sense. A rifle for hunting? Makes sense. But damn it, our forefathers hunted with muskets and gun powder. Is Bambi packing that much heat that you need something bigger? If you are hunting bear or boar and you doubt your skills, then maybe you should stick to rabbits. But YOU must start speaking up! If you disagree with the current laws, speak up! 17 sets of parents will never, EVER get to kiss their kids good night again. But you go…go ahead…go tuck your guns in for the night and tell them to sleep tight. And then YOU rest easy knowing your precious guns are safe while those parents plan funerals.

Gun makers…oh boy…just because you CAN create a weapon that can annihilate dozens in minutes doesn’t mean you SHOULD, you greedy sons of b******. I hope their souls haunt you for the rest of your days. YOU have a responsibility. YOU! This is on YOU!

Parents…this is on you, too! Start raising your children with consequences! Start instilling kindness. Show them how to care. Show them how to take criticism. Teach them to accept NO as an answer! TALK to your children. Listen to them. Pay attention to them. Teach them respect for life.

Video Game designers…I’m putting this on you, too. When I was a kid, the only shooting game we had was Duck Hunt. I’m sure ducks everywhere ran for cover. But today…shooting games are so easily in the hands of elementary children. We went from shooting pixelated ducks to shooting realistic human beings. On our phones, our tablets, our TVs. Blood splatters on our screens. You can’t believe that YOU have no role in this either.

Schools…this is on you! Start demanding more money for school psychologists, counselors, professionals who can help! Speak up. Stop allowing your concerns to be dismissed. Teachers see mental issues YOUNG. It doesn’t come out of nowhere. We see it young. And we take notes. We write down an anecdotal. We make copies of drawings. We make copies of words. We go to superiors whose hands are tied because there is no money for professionals to assess these children. And these kids leave. Then one day, you read about them in the news. And you say…yup, I called it. We need to stop just calling it and we need to be heard!


Finally, our government. YOU have failed US. AGAIN. We have been asking, no, BEGGING for change. Instead, you choose money. Again and again, you choose money. You choose money over the safety of your citizens. You choose money over logic. You choose money over morals. You choose money over obligation. You have an obligation to US, the people. You took an oath. To protect us. To lead us. To SERVE us. But you have failed us. Generations of politicians. You have failed us. This is not a liberal-conservative issue. This is not a party issue. This is a HUGE, GLARING, blemish on our nation. You have closed psychiatric facilities. You have taken money away from schools. You have allowed this to happen.

You MUST have gone into politics for the right reasons. You wanted to serve the people. You wanted to make this country better. But somewhere along your career, you got lost. And you lost something. You lost your hearts. You lost your reasoning. You lost your beacon. You lost your logic. And consequently, you lost our trust. You lost our faith. And now you have blood on your hands. You’re serving yourselves and you’re serving the gun companies and you’re serving the lobbyists and you’re serving the NRA and you’re doing US a disservice. You are doing our children a disservice. You are doing our nation a disservice. And now you have blood on your hands. Every senator, congressmen, governor, mayor, president…this is on YOU! This does not fall on our current administration. This falls on EVERY administration. This could have ended after Columbine. This could have ended after Sandy Hook. This could have ended years ago! But every single one of you is keeping this cycle going because you are serving yourselves. And now, your hands are bloodied once again. You are the lawmakers. Yet YOU are creating laws allowing this to happen. You don’t allow an 18-year-old to buy beer but they can buy weapons. You make illogical, ridiculous, laws that serve nobody but yourselves!

But you stop, and you send your thoughts and prayers. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting change. What change has come from your thoughts and prayers? Will we ever see change come from your thoughts and prayers? But you go…continue to send those thoughts and prayers. I’m sure they will really bring about change.

And you MUST know that our constitution is a living document, right? I’m sure you learned that somewhere. Then I’m sure you also know that it means it must evolve and adapt to the times. Well, if guns have evolved and changed, then shouldn’t the laws governing them evolve and change, too?

It’s Valentine’s Day…you get to go home tonight. You get to kiss your loved ones goodnight. You get to bring your wife flowers. You get to give your kids chocolate. But 17 sets of parents get to id their children. 17 sets of parents get to plan funerals. 17 sets of parents get to go on for the rest of their lives without their hearts. Because you lost yours.

Today is a sad day for our nation. And what’s even sadder is that nothing will change. Those with the power to do something will once again do nothing. And WE the people will continue to beg for change.

To our current administration…this hasn’t exactly been a scandal free term, has it? It was tarnished before it even began. But now you have the chance to go down as the administration that FINALLY fixes this. Think about that. You have the power to change something. You can actually SERVE us, the people. We want change. For crying out loud, be the administration that creates the change that ends this cycle of insanity. That ends this. Grow a pair and do something. Find your hearts. Because ours are breaking.

Signed,
We The People

Message edited 2/16/2018 10:15:14 PM.

Re: What can we do to help make a change???

So what is everyone doing???? Im tired of the FB debates and social media debates. That does not but anger both sides and it certainly doesnt change anything or get us closer to a solution. We need ACTION. WHAT ARE WE DOING?????? Unless we ALL do something, we will never be stronger or bigger than the NRA and THEY are the problem. The majority of Americans supports sensible gun reform measures, so in theory if all those people actually ROSE UP and demanded action, and not just for the next week or so, if all of those people donated, we could line the pockets just like the NRA does. Get off the computer and GO DO SOMETHING, NOW!

Message edited 2/16/2018 11:32:57 PM.

Re: What can we do to help make a change???

Joining organizations and mailing letters and making calls and sending emails is exercising wonderful citizenship, but it can only do so much and it won't effect real and meaningful change. Frankly, we don't have that kind of time. Not at the rate school shootings have been occurring in this country. As you sit and write your carefully thought out letters, and wait on hold to reach your representatives, someone out there is planning his next attack, and the next one could be closer to home than you expect and likely to be deadlier than the last.

All parents, students, teachers, school personnel, and administrators in every school across the country should plan an extended and indefinite walk out. Everyone should take to the streets and protest outside the offices of their local representatives all across the country. Things won't change until the heat is turned up and noise is made. No going back to school until this BS ends. Take it as far as you have to. These politicians NEED TO SEE THESE CHILDREN'S FACES AND ANSWER TO THEM DIRECTLY. Force them to look these children in the eye and answer to the kids they swore to protect that money comes before their lives. School shootings can't happen if there's no one in schools.

Is arming every last lunch lady and issuing school standard bulletproof vests and helmets and installing military tanks at every entrance and metal detectors all the kids know how to bypass really the best possible solution America can come up with to this problem?

First came #timesup, now it's time for #pencilsdown

Message edited 2/17/2018 3:23:10 AM.

Re: What can we do to help make a change???

I want to make sure I build trust with my kids. If they see something on social media they know they can come to me ( in this case the FBI failed but we need to try to prevent this from happening)
People need to speak up. I am so tired of hearing people on the news say they thought something was wrong after an incident. We can not Mind our own business or stay out of it,