1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

Pass universal background checks, reinstate the federal assault weapons ban, and fund community anti-violence programs. On August 27, two children were killed and 17 people were injured at a Catholic Church in Minneapolis. That was the 286th mass shooting of 2025. This is not a rare tragedy. It is a routine one. Congress has the tools to act. Universal background checks covering all gun and ammo purchases, closing the gun show and private-seller loophole, and banning high-capacity magazines and military-style assault weapons are all supported by a majority of Americans, including gun owners. The NRA's grip on this body is the only thing standing between the public and policies the public actually wants. Fund evidence-based programs like Ceasefire, which have a documented record of reducing shootings in communities. Americans own 42% of the world's civilian firearms while making up 4% of its population. The cost of doing nothing keeps landing on children in church pews.