1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

How many more children must be traumatized, injured, or killed in school shootings before we act? One of the most glaring examples of our systemic failure was the shooting of Charlie Kirk, broadcast live on national television, yet not a single member of Congress declared that it was time for comprehensive gun reform. We must move past the fear-mongering from both sides claiming that "they are coming for your guns" and address the influence of gun lobbyists, who are a significant part of the problem. Children should not have to fear for their lives simply by attending school. It is alarming that we now see advertisements on streaming platforms for concealed carry permits by mail; if this trend continues, we risk a future where autonomous weapons could find their way into our schools. We need immediate change. A critical first step toward national security and student safety would be to ban automatic weapons for all untrained civilians. Such weaponry, along with autonomous weapons, should never be lawfully available to anyone outside of active military service. For too long, congressional inaction has allowed this trauma to persist. By failing to implement safeguards, we are not only endangering children's lives but also contributing to a cycle of depression, anxiety, and self-harm. These traumas follow students into adulthood, often leading to unproductive lives and struggles with substance abuse. I implore you to collaborate with your colleagues to make the education, health, and safety of our children a primary priority. We must ensure that every student has access to a safe learning environment, proper nutrition, and comprehensive healthcare. We must do better for our future and protect our children; we have all suffered enough