January 1, 2016 The Georgia gun lobby and many members of the General Assembly are determined to force Georgia's colleges and universities to allow loaded, concealed handguns on all college and university campuses, both public and private, in our state. In spite of overwhelming opposition from students, faculty, campus law enforcement, parents, and against the recommendations of policy experts, they continue to aggressively push bills like HB 544 year after year. We believe Georgia’s college and university administrators and campus security experts are best equipped to evaluate and make policy decisions that effect their campus communities, not opportunistically motivated lawmakers. Over the last several years, the Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus and our coalition partners have vigorously fought back against legislation that would force concealed handguns on campus and we need your help this year, more than ever, to stop HB 544. Please sign this petition that says No to guns on campus and be sure to share it with a friend, too. Thank you.

Americans have the right to feel safe at school, at work, at the movies, at church! We need to do better for this country and make it safe for everyone.

Alison Parker and Adam Ward, two young journalists with Roanoke news station WDBJ-TV in Virginia, were shot to death during a live broadcast. In the wake of this tragedy, VA Governor Terry McAuliffe has renewed his call for tougher gun laws in the Commonwealth. During a Wednesday morning appearance on WTOP's monthly "Ask the Governor" program, the governor committed to continue pushing for change, as he has in two legislative sessions so far. He blamed the state legislature for not enacting tougher gun safety measures. “They don’t want any changes,” he said. "We have had a horrible history on this issue." In January, Gov. McAuliffe's package of gun safety proposals failed to clear a state Senate committee. Currently, no background checks are required on firearms purchases at gun shows. In memory of Adam Ward and Alison Parker, and of the more than 10,000 Virginians who have died from gun violence since 2001, help Governor McAuliffe fight for commonsense gun laws in Virginia. Sign on to our message of support and help the governor build momentum for gun safety in the next state legislative session!

I, Dr. Patricia M. Harris, have started this petition because since 1993 on the steps of an inner-city high school, I saved one student but failed to save another from gun violence. I, too, could have been killed; however, the gunman decided to run instead of shooting me in the back. There isn’t one day of my life that I do not think about the ordeal to the point of furthering my studies as a Violentologist. Our country is worsening and we are in a state of emergency with unnecessary and unwarranted killings due to gun violence. It is clear to many that gun ownership and the lack of its control, the blatant and insensitive hurt, harm, danger and death by those who enforce and embrace laws, take precedent over the brutal, savage, and inhumane treatment, shooting and/or execution of innocent men, women and children. Enough is Enough! Denial that, “No More Needs to Be Done” will only allow violence to continue and fester. Let’s WAKE UP and ignite powerful voices for stricter laws for the possession, use, abuse, control and punishment of gun violence.

The gun ownership argument should shift to why we shoot, rather than be centered on the interpretation of what the 2nd Amendment means, or how many bullets should be in a magazine, or how lethal a weapon one can legally own. The reliance on the right to own and use guns in the US is about fear: fear for personal safety; fear of the other and, fear of being emasculated. United States citizens, who so often call ourselves exceptional, should be ashamed of this remarkably unexceptional way of life and death.

With the presence of gun violence in the city of Akron, Ohio, it is apparent that the community take control of our neighborhoods! It's time to come together and take an aggressive approach to help heal the city of senseless violence. This is a direct call to action, asking folks to put down the guns and protect our village. Stop The Violence Akron Movement, along with various coalitions throughout the city, launched our #DONTSHOOT365 Campaign on August 9, 2015. We are demanding that our Chief of Police support our initiative by sponsoring a city wide Gun Buy Back Program. Akron, your support is needed!

UPDATE - February 1, 2016 HB 4001 is scheduled for a vote by the full House on Tuesday, Feb. 2nd. This vote comes in spite of overwhelming opposition from students, faculty, all college presidents and campus police chiefs, parents, community leaders, medical, educational and campus security experts, and associations, that represent over one million members of Florida’s campus community By signing this petition, your message opposing HB 4001 and SB 68 (Senate matching bill), will be sent to all members of the Florida Legislature, and to Governor Rick Scott. The Campaign To Keep Guns Off Campus believes that Florida's higher education officials are the most qualified to determine the safety requirements for their campuses, including restricting guns only to trained law enforcement officers. Currently, concealed carry permit holders are able to store their handguns in locked cars on campus parking lots. However, Florida law provides the Board of Trustees at public universities and state colleges with the authority to place reasonable restrictions on access to firearms on college-owned or controlled buildings and grounds (excluding parking lots). Please sign this petition today to help preserve the safety on Florida’s public universities and state college campuses. Thank you.

There's been another mass shooting, this time in Lafayette, Louisiana. Innocent people are being killed every single day by guns and this can be stopped by having stricter laws and stricter requirements for purchasers. How many more innocent people have to lose their lives or be seriously injured before something is changed? Change it now!

Specifically, we are calling on Congress to: Recognize the devastation of homicide and violence suffered by communities which experience a disproportionate amount of violence across the nation; and the traumatic repercussions experienced by children, youth and families who are constant witnesses to these events by providing funding, research and trauma informed programming to combat these circumstances. These resources and programs will serve to interrupt the "contagion" of violence and the number of homicides in heavily impacted communities. Deem homicide a public health epidemic for men of color ages 13-34, as supported by our nation's statistical data. Furthermore, allocate funding, education, advertising and research resources to address the rapidly growing social crisis. Pass gun bills, pending in the House and Senate, that will minimally, reduce gun violence through background checks; closing gun show loopholes; and restricting the sale of guns to individuals who are under age; mentally ill, or have criminal records. Reform and amend the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) in order to provide equal access to benefits, without discrimination, to families of victims of crimes in communities with high rates of homicide. In addition, provide community based mental health services and support to families who have lost loved ones to violence.

I, Dr. Patricia M. Harris have started this petition because since 1993 on the steps of an inner city high school, I saved one student but failed to save another from gun violence. I too could have been killed, however, the gunman decided to run instead of shooting me in the back. There isn’t one day of my life that I do not think about the ordeal. Our country is worsening and we are in a state of emergency with gun violence. It is clear to many that gun ownership and the lack of its control takes precedence over the brutal, savage, and inhumane execution of innocent men, women and children. Enough is Enough! Denial that, “No More Needs to Be Done” will only allow violence to continue and fester. How many more children must die? How many more innocent worshipers must die? How many more innocent by-standers must die? Just how many more people must die? Let’s WAKE UP and Ignite powerful voices for stricter laws for the possession, use, abuse, and control of Gun Violence.

For too long politicians in Washington have sat on their hands and let the NRA use fear to prevent action. It is time to come to grips with the realization that stemming the massive flow of illegal and legal guns into our cities is a fight for the lives of our mothers, fathers, sons and daughters. We have let America down when it comes to addressing the gun violence epidemic in too many of our neighborhoods.

To urge the Governor of the State of Illinois to find the resources to support the work of the Chicago, Chief of Police and provide the necessary resources to effectively reduce gun violence in the City of Chicago or declare a state of emergency. We can no longer say that this is a Chicago problem because this great nation that we call America can no longer allow our most vulnerable citizens to be gunned down and remain silent. We must, Save the Children! The children of our country that have not been convinced that they have a future to look forward to.