Letter: 'Regarding Gun Violence'

Dear Neighbors,

Within 10 days, African Americans were murdered while grocery shopping, Asian Americans were murdered while worshiping, and children were murdered while attending school. I stand and mourn with those who have suffered these senseless losses, but I also join with those calling on our lawmakers to do better.

As we move towards the November elections, I implore you to ask hard questions of the candidates. Ask if they will stand up and vote to strengthen background checks and if they will treat gun violence as the deadly public health crisis it is.

Senator Chris Murphy’s words to the U.S. Senate resonated with me:

Why do you go through all the hassle of getting this job, of putting yourself in a position of authority if your answer is that as the slaughter increases, as our kids run for their lives, we do nothing. What are we doing? Why are you here if not to solve a problem as existential as this?

Just as our elected officials must step forward to make meaningful change, we, the voters, also must step forward and use our voice, our votes, to influence that change.

Information and resources about gun violence prevention is available through CT Against Gun Violence (www.cagv.org).

Respectfully yours,

Diana M. Carlino
Chair, Redding Democratic Town Committee