Gun violence is a reality here in America, but it doesn’t have to be

On May 18, 2026, five people were killed, including two teenagers, at a mosque in San Diego, CA.

On February 14, 2018, 17 children were killed at Parkland High School, 14 students and three teachers, in Parkland, FL.

On June 12, 2016, 49 people were killed, and 58 others were wounded at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, FL.

On December 14, 2012, 26 people were killed, 20 children and six adult staff, at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT.

These are just four of the over 7,000 mass shootings that have taken place in this country since the start of 2013.

That's just mass shootings.

So much trauma and so much sadness have affected so many communities across the country. Families deserve better. Families deserve security. Families deserve the confidence that when their mother, father, sister, brother, son, or daughter leaves the house, they will come back.

Unfortunately, that's not a reality here in America. But it could be.

Today is National Gun Violence Awareness Day. An honor of those who have survived gun violence, a memorial to those who have been taken by gun violence, and a day to refocus our work to end the scourge of gun violence in America.

Mental health is something we need to address — absolutely. But so is the ability for an unwell person to purchase an assault rifle, as much ammunition as they can carry, and freely walk out of a store to do whatever they want.

Gun violence is destroying communities. And if you don't have a leader representing you who wants to keep you safe from gun violence, it's time to fire them and vote for someone who will.

I'll always work to stop the scourge of gun violence here in Massachusetts and across the country, and today, I hope you'll wear orange in solidarity with me, gun violence survivors, and the family and friends who have lost a loved one.

Onward for a safer country,

Jim