I worked for five years on gun safety issues. I know first hand that allowing more guns into our community will put our neighbors at risk. Our elected leaders should be writing our laws, not a federal judge in New York.

Members of the group Sandy Hook Promise (Families of the children murdered in Sandy Hook Elementary) traveled from Connecticut to Governor Christie’s office in NJ last week to deliver a petition with 55,000 signatures asking him to sign a bill . The Bill was passed by both houses of the State Legislature, the Bill was to reduce magazine capacity from 15 rounds to 10 rounds. The Governor refused to meet with them, saying his mind was made up. An hour after Sandy Hook Promise left the State house, Christie vetoed the bill. If the bill was passed it would prevent future tragedies just as these families endured. If the gunman at Sandy Hook were forced to reload more often, a greater number of those children would still be alive, which is why this bill is extremely significant. Governor Christie talks about mental health reform when it comes to gun violence, if he truly wanted reform it would include the mental health reform he proposes PLUS the limitation on high capacity magazines. .

The facts are simple: You don't need big magazines for self-defense or hunting, and less bullets at a time means more possible lives saved.

The shootings at Seattle Pacific University and Reynolds Arthur Academy in Oregon just a few weeks ago broke our hearts. Washington State moms and dads have never been more concerned about gun safety, and never more ready for common sense reform of our gun laws to protect our kids and communities. This Spring, the gun lobby killed a bill in our state legislature ensuring that all gun sales go through the same criminal background check system. Initiative 594 takes this simple, commonsense, life-saving reform directly to the voters – US! We need 126,380 Washingtonians to pledge their votes by the end of August to make Washington safer – that's 10 percent of the votes we need to win on Initiative 594. Pledging now shows your commitment and helps encourage others to pledge as well so we can build momentum and exceed the number of votes we need by Election Day! Initiative 594 won't completely eliminate gun violence – but it's a simple and effective step that we can take this year to make our children and families safer, and together, we can make it happen. Pledge now!

Gun violence is a result of the wrong people owning guns or of people without proper training and regard for weapons owning them. Making it a requirement of gun ownership to belong to a well regulated militia, as mentioned in the Second Amendment, would provide a means to ensure that neither of the above conditions occur.

Aren't we all tired of these mass shootings &, those who are truly responsible walking away free? Join me by signing this petition to President Obama to set up a commission to investigate the NRA exposing the money trail through the lobbyists they send to Washington with cash to burn selling out America’s safety so weapons manufacturers can make money off of the blood of America’s children. If we don't protect our children, who will?

Niles is considering allowing a gun shop and 22-lane firing range to open within walking distance of Niles West High School, New Hope Academy, Lil' Kickers and Jump!Zone. Guns have no place being this close to where Niles children learn and play. Ask our Mayor and Trustees to say NO by signing this petition and showing up at the zoning board hearing on July 7 at 7 p.m. (Village Hall, 1000 Civic Center Drive).

I am seeing more and more shootings every week in America, many of those taking place in educational institutions. I have 7 grandchildren in school and I shouldn't have to worry every school day that they might not come home from school because they were killed there. We shouldn't have to worry that just walking down the street exposes us to a random gun shooting. We demand that our leaders take action to curb gun violence with whatever laws or regulations are needed.

I am a critical thinker

Gun violence in the U.S. and in Oregon is out of control. We the people must stand up to the NRA lobbyists and demand action of our elected officials to improve public safety.

We are concerned that gun ownership has gotten way out of hand and that there aren't enough Constitutional limitations on gun ownership. The 2nd Amendment is outdated as it was written when people owned MUSKETS. We need an updated amendment that reflects the realities of modern society and gun technology and that protects innocents from gun violence through restrictions on the types of weapons that can be owned, levies insurance of gun owners to cover the cost of those who are wounded or killed by guns, and protections for non-gun owners against the increasing threat of gun violence.

Because I as a supporter for the second amendment and my natural right to defend myself from any threats to myself or those I care about, as well as yours is slowly being stripped away. And I cannot abide this type of slow tyranny.