Turning Grief into Action: Monthly meeting with Guest Speaker, Representative Ed Gainey

PA State Representative Ed Gainey spoke to members of Squirrel Hill Stands Against Gun Violence about the twin scourges of gun violence and hate groups. He focused on actions we can take to pass sensible gun safety legislation. While Rep. Gainey is the prime sponsor of H.B.307, the assault weapons ban, he suggested we focus first on universal background checks (H.B.673). He also feels strongly that there need to be at least four rallies for gun violence prevention in Harrisburg to keep the pressure on the legislature. Following Rep. Gainey's talk, we discussed proposed federal legislation on background checks, extreme risk protection orders and a ban on high capacity magazines and assault weapons. We covered the logistics of how to write a strong letter to your legislator and spent the end of the meeting writing letters.