1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

Today marks 26 years since the Columbine High School shooting—an event that should have been a catalyst for bold, lasting change. Yet across the country and right here in Arizona, preventable gun violence continues to claim lives, traumatize communities, and put our children at risk. As your constituent, I am urging you to take meaningful action to strengthen gun safety laws in Arizona. Common sense measures have broad public support and can save lives without infringing on responsible gun ownership. Specifically, I ask that you support or introduce legislation that includes the following: • Red Flag Laws that empower law enforcement and families to temporarily remove firearms from individuals at risk of harming themselves or others. • Mandatory Safe and Secure Storage of firearms in all homes, regardless of the presence of children, to prevent accidental shootings and theft. • Universal Background Checks on all gun sales, including private and online transactions, to close dangerous loopholes. • Higher Minimum Age Requirements (21+) for purchasing firearms—especially semi-automatic rifles and handguns—to reduce risk in the 18–20 age group and align with laws already in place for handgun purchases. • Limits on High-Capacity Magazines and Assault-Style Weapons, which have been repeatedly used in mass shootings and are unnecessary for self-defense. • Mandatory Waiting Periods for all firearm purchases to reduce impulsive acts of violence, including suicide. Arizona families and communities deserve better. We should not have to live in fear of sending our children to school, attending a concert, or shopping at the grocery store. Gun violence is a preventable public health crisis, and the solutions are within reach—if our lawmakers are willing to act. Please, honor the memory of Columbine and the many lives lost since by supporting stronger gun safety laws in our state. I urge you to lead with courage and put the safety of our communities first.