Jan's Plans & Pans - April 10, 2024

Gun violence is one of the most serious public health threats we face. In fact, gun violence recently surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of death for American children. Future generations are counting on us to stop this horrific epidemic.

Last Congress, after nearly 30 years of inaction, Congress was able to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which closed gun law loopholes and implemented new gun violence prevention policies. But our work is far from over - we need universal background checks, safe storage laws, and an assault weapons ban.  

This week, I was honored to give remarks at the Loyola University Community Advocacy and Violence Prevention Summit organized by Loyola Stands Against Gun Violence. There were about 300 attendees in total, including 100 virtual attendees! I was so impressed by the keynote speaker, X Gonzalez, one of the founders of March for Our Lives. They became a leading voice in the gun violence prevention movement following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman-Douglass High School. Listening to them, I became even more convinced that the passion and persistence of our young people demanding change will be the reason we finally end gun violence in our nation.

Together, we can do this – when we fight, we win!