I've had enough of gun violence, so this is what I'm doing

You guys.

It’s pretty much time that we do something.

I don’t care if you’re a Democrat or a Republican. An Independent or whatever. I honestly don’t care.

What I care about is that you, as a human being here, living on God’s green earth, take a stand on gun violence.

It’s time.

Do something to put an end to the gun violence.

Because if we don’t start doing, my friends, things are just going to get worse.

And I’m not saying that I think guns should be banned. I’m not saying that people shouldn’t be allowed to keep a gun in their home or go out and hunt on the weekends. I’m not.

I’m saying we need stronger gun laws to put an end to this senseless violence.

Here’s the skinny. . .

I’ve Had Enough of Gun Violence, So This is What I’m Doing (and What you Should, Too!)

Honestly, I didn’t even hear about the massacre in Orlando until late afternoon on Sunday. My girlfriend told me about it while we were sitting at the pool.

The conversation went something like this:

Sandy: So, Ame, when are you traveling again?

Me: Oh. Uh, end of the month. Heading to Orlando to speak at the Alpha Chi Omega Convention.

Sandy: Orlando? What a horrible tragedy they are going through right now.

Me: What? Whaddya mean?

Sandy: [Looks at me in disbelief.] There was a shooting. The most gruesome shooting in American history. Over 50 people killed.

Me: [Fumbling around the pool bag for my phone] Are you freaking kidding me?! I had no idea.

Maybe because we had a later Saturday night and went to a later Sunday mass, I didn’t read the paper. I didn’t turn on the tv. Heck, our priest didn’t even mention it during the homily. I wondered if he even knew yet.

But after that conversation, my eyes have been glued to the news. I’m picking up bits and pieces from every direction, from every person–just about everywhere–about the situation.

My heart is absolutely broken.

All I’m hearing is:

we need to love more;
we need to judge less;
we need to #prayforOrlando;
we need to keep these people out;
we need to keep these people in;
we need to vote for this person;
we need to NOT vote for this person;
we need to get rid of this;
we need to do more of that.

So many things. So many things. So. Many. Things.

But I want something tangible. Something real and something I can do right now. Don’t you?

Yes, I’m praying.

Yes, I’m loving.

Yes, I’m voting.

But I want to do more.

So this is what I’m doing: I’m using my voice.

And you can, too.

Here’s how:

1. Text DISARM HATE to 644-33.

It’ll get you on a non-partisan list that will give you actionable things to do to make a difference.

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2. Join Moms Demand Action.

You’ll get updates about local and national events and find out ways you can help.

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3. Wear a Moms Demand Action shirt.

Buy a shirt. And wear it.

Wear it all summer long. Wear it all year long.

Get your friends talking about it.

Give them the link to buy their own: http://store.everytown.org/collections/apparel

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4. Connect with local Moms Demand Action Groups.

These moms are you. And they’re me.

They’re–like us–sick of what’s happening and want to join forces to do something.

Join them.

Believe me, I don’t do a lot, but I’m in the group, and I get the updates and emails and I will do more if you will do more.

Let’s all do more.

Come on.

Join your local chapter now: https://act.everytown.org/signup/Join-Moms/

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5. Teach your kids tolerance and acceptance and love.

Tolerance means teaching our kids that even though we may not agree with someone’s opinion, it’s okay. It’s all good.

That there are often a dozen ways to cross a bridge and that they all work.

That it’s okay to disagree.

That everyone’s opinions are valid.

That one of our great freedoms in this country is that we’re each entitled to our own ideas.

That everyone has different tastebuds, and it’s okay.

That I say tomAAAAAto and you say tomahhhto, and it’s cool.

Acceptance is taking things as they are, feeling at peace about ourselves and our neighbors.

Feeling content about our current situation.

Living with a humble humility about what is possible and impossible.

Knowing that no matter what, you are doing the best with what you have, wherever you are.

Love is love.

You know love.

Let’s practice modeling tolerance, acceptance, and love in everything we do, in every conversation we have, and in every cell of our body.

You never know how far even the teeniest bit of kindness goes. You never know who you’ll touch or how far that ripple will travel.

Just start now.

And if you’ve already started, then keep it going. Then go bigger. Go way bigger. Throw that kindness out a bit further, a bit harder.

Make that ripple reach more and do more.

Starting now.

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**6. Talk to your kids about the laws and about how you feel about gun laws.**

First, friends, learn the facts.

Then talk to your kids in age-appropriate terms about concepts you think they are able to handle.

Everytown.org has tons of fact sheets and infographics that break down the often confusing facts so that they’re easier to understand.

Your kids will be impressed with you. I mean it.

Most likely, they’ll want to talk about guns. And they’ll want to learn more about the laws that are designed to keep us safe.

Tell them what you know.

Just stick to the facts.

Then listen to your kids. Let them talk. Let them share.

And figure out where you can go together.

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7. Bring your kids with you.

When they see you–standing alongside thousands of other tough mothers–helping to change laws and make this world and our schools safer, they’ll know you’re a rockstar.

Take them with you to local events.

Take them with you to national events.

Start sporting your Moms Demand Action One Tough Mother shirt, they’ll think you’re a rockstar.

And if they don’t, they should.

They will.

Eventually.

Bottom line, friends: do something. The time is now.

We can’t have one more shooting.

Not. One. More.

Do something now:

Text DISARM HATE to 644-33.
Join Moms Demand Action.
Wear a Moms Demand Action shirt.
Connect with local Moms Demand Action Groups.
Teach your kids tolerance and acceptance and love.
Talk to your kids about the laws and about how you feel about gun laws.
Bring your kids with you. And when you’ve done it, TELL ME! Either comment below or comment on Instagram–whatever’s easier!

fyi: I am not going to pretend that I know everything there is to know about this issue or that I’m a superstar advocate. I can’t and I’m not. But I’ll tell you this: I’m trying.