1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

Yet again, our nation is mourning the loss of innocent lives to another school shooting. As your constituent, I am heartbroken and outraged that our children, teachers, and communities continue to suffer the consequences of inaction on gun violence. I want to be very clear: I do not believe the Second Amendment was ever intended to guarantee unlimited private gun ownership. The text refers to a “well-regulated militia,” which in modern terms is the National Guard—not private citizens with unfettered access to weapons of war. At the same time, I respect that responsible Americans should be able to continue lawful traditions such as hunting or recreational target shooting. These activities are not threatened by common-sense reforms. What is at stake here is not hunting or sport—it is the safety of our children in classrooms, families in houses of worship, and everyday people in grocery stores, theaters, and workplaces. There are many policies Congress could enact right now that would save lives while still protecting the rights of responsible gun owners, including: Universal background checks with no loopholes. Raising the minimum age to purchase firearms. A ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines that serve no purpose outside of the battlefield. Safe storage requirements to prevent unauthorized access to firearms. Red flag laws to keep guns out of the hands of individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others. These are reasonable, constitutional measures supported by a majority of Americans. The only thing standing in the way is political will. Every day without action, more families are shattered by preventable tragedies. I am asking you to show courage and leadership by supporting and advancing meaningful gun safety legislation. Please do not let partisanship or special interests outweigh the lives of our children. We deserve to live in safe communities where going to school does not mean risking lives. I urge you to act.