During the two weeks prior to October 6, more than 350 people signed the following letter:
Dear Representative Mike Collins:
We, the undersigned, are your constituents in Georgia's Congressional House District 10. In response to the recent tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in your district, we demand that you:
1. STOP using violent gun-centered language and images in your communications on social media and elsewhere. This language contributes to a heightened atmosphere around guns.
2. VOTE for sensible gun safety regulations that would keep our children and community members safe, including:
o a national Pediatric Health Safe Storage Act.
o the reinstatement of an Assault Weapons Ban.
o H.R. 3018, the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act (also called the "red flag" law).
We delivered the letter on October 7, following a rally in Monroe the previous day in which speakers described the ravages of unregulated gun access and offered sensible legislative solutions. Politicians, including Collins, have blockedthese solutions, even though activists emphasize they have no interest in abolishing the 2nd Amendment.
We expect elected representatives to follow the wishes of and work to protect the lives of their constituents. Yet Governor Kemp, Representative Collins, and Representative Clyde—threepoliticians closely connected to Winder—ignore the fact that a large majority of Georgia voters support laws like those we mention in the letter above. “The problem is not the gun,” says Collins in response to the Apalachee shooting. “We have guidelines right now called laws; we don’t need more of them,”says Clyde. All three featured threatening gun images in their campaigns.
It's outrageous that these politicians and others choose unlimited access to lethal weapons over protecting our children and community members. As voters, we have the power to hold them accountable. If safety from gun violence is important to you, we urge you to use your ballot to send Representatives Clyde and Collins a message: “By choosing gun rights over your constituents’ right to safety, you have abused your responsibility. You’re fired.”
Members of Indivisible Georgia District 10 and Moms Demand Action:Nicole Broerman, Watkinsville; Barbara Burt, Athens; Michael Castengera, Athens; Bob Covi, Athens; Karen Covi, Athens; Joan C. Curtis, Athens; Lorri Donnahoe, Athens; Pam T. Davis, Bishop; Shelbey Diamond-Alexander, Winder; Linda Gilbert, Athens; Nakita Hemingway, Monroe; Marisue Hilliard, Watkinsville; Bruce Menke, Athens; Karen Menke, Athens; Marilyn Wolf-Ragatz, Athens
The problem is not "black males". It's access to guns. School shootings are not committed by black males, attempts on government officials are not done by black males, suicides and accidental shootings are not black males. The problem IS guns - we need universal background checks, red flag laws, end to permitless carry, safe storage laws, ban to assault weapons. None of these can be construed as illegal under the 2nd Amendment. All would mitigate gun deaths which are the major cause of death for our children! Other developed countries don't have this problem! We shouldn't either!
A vast majority of the gun violence in House District 10 is committed by young black males.
The problem is not guns, Mike Collins, or a lack of laws.
Go write a letter that addresses the crime and gun violence in the black community. This is the real problem
It's your moment, football enthusiasts! You oversee every aspect, make every choice, and guide your team to the championship in retro bowl.