We have all been affected by this increased violence. It would help the state with the extra expense of protecting our citizens and schools during these violent attacks. Considering the success of the extra tax on tobacco and alcohol the state and citizens should benefit from this tax. We need it now!

I go to UCSB, where 6 students were murdered by a man with registered weapons. If the government can track guns, they may be able to put a stop to school shootings, among other crimes and tragedies. No one should have the right to secretly go into any area and kill random people. #notonemore #weallhaverights #guntracking . Lastly, the government does not have to control the site, it could be controlled by the people who make the guns.

Six people were killed and thirteen were injured in a horrific rampage in Santa Barbara, California on Friday, including three who were shot and killed. Richard Martinez, the father of one of the shooting victims, had this to say: "When will this insanity stop? When will enough people say, 'Stop this madness!' Too many have died. We should say to ourselves, "Not one more!' " Stand with the families and communities affected by these shootings. Please send your personal message of condolences, and we’ll make sure to share them with the Santa Barbara community. Together, we're sending a signal of the growing movement to end gun violence in America -- and your message is an important part of that fight.

31,000 people die every year due to gun violence, 71,000 are injured and every 3 hours and 15 minutes a child is killed or injured by a gun. The gun lobby wants to ban all research by the CDC on the effects of gun violence in our country. Don't let them do it.

Because the NRA hides behind silence and lies, whichever suits their purpose best at the time.

My name is Sean Tanabe and I am a third-year student at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a proud Gaucho. I write this petition with the utmost solidarity. I have witnessed firsthand the pain, sadness, and shock that has rocked our community to its core. At the Memorial service several days after the shooting, I was inspired from my seat in the stands to do something more. If you want to make tangible progress on this pressing issue, then I urge you to sign this petition. Ending gun violence will not be easy, but I promise that if we unite on this issue as students, we will not be ignored. We are the future, and as the future it is our duty to take this issue into our own hands and work to create a society we desire to thrive in. We are far from powerless. We are not only capable of sharing a hashtag and spreading awareness on social media. We CAN cultivate real, positive change. It feels as if our generation has become almost numb due to the normalization of these shooting attacks in the US. This is far from normal. We are affected nationwide; from Aurora to Newtown, Chicago to Tucson, Blacksburg to Isla Vista and beyond. Uniting as a generation on this issue will place the power back where it should be: in the hands of those it most strongly affects. Voting is important, but here's something you can do to have a more immediate effect. Divestment is a new front in the war to end the epidemic of gun violence. Its focus is on the corporate elements that are profiting from readily available and barely-regulated firearms that are responsible for over 30,000 American deaths every year, including the 20 first-graders and six educators killed with a military-style assault weapon at Sandy Hook Elementary. Congress -- the “craven, irresponsible politicians,” as Richard Martinez labeled them -- has failed its constituents, 85% of whom support a bill to make every potential gun purchaser go through a background check. We must use our wallets to take a stand to this gross lack of morality. -->Read in The Nation about the call for divestment after the UCSB shooting. http://www.thenation.com/article/180021/how-uc-santa-barbara-can-turn-grief-action-divest-gun-manufacturers# The gun industry -- led by Remington Outdoor, Sturm, Ruger & Company, and Smith & Wesson – has profited even as more Americans are killed by the products they manufacture and aggressively market. The value of these companies has grown significantly just as the rate of mass shootings has increased. (Watch this video to learn more: www.unloadyour401k.com.) How can this be occurring? Gun companies are donating substantial sums of money to the NRA. With that financial clout, the NRA is able to quell attempts at enacting practical gun laws. To communicate efficiently, we must speak their (monetary) language. Luckily, we students are not alone. Occidental College started the movement in February by becoming the first higher education institution to pledge to ban investments in companies that manufacture military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines for the general public. Universities should lead on this issue to ensure that they do not further the epidemic of gun violence by financially supporting the companies that largely allow this calamitous cycle to continue. Note: This petition will not end gun violence overnight. But as ancient philosopher Laozi asserts, “the journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” That stair awaits you above. Sign this petition to stand with the UCSB community and call for divestment from the gun industry. Ultimately, this change depends on us. Thank you. Respectfully, Sean Tanabe *Note: An earlier version of this petition incorrectly identified the shooter as a UCSB student. He was a student at Santa Barbara City College.

*UPDATE: Three weeks ago, Santa Barbara. Last week, Seattle. This last weekend, Las Vegas. HOW MANY MORE? Take action now! In Santa Barbara, Richard Martinez lost his son and only child, Chris, when Elliot Rodger went on a deadly rampage, taking six young lives and then his own. “This death has left our family lost and broken,” said Martinez. “Why did Chris die? Chris died because of craven irresponsible politicians and the N.R.A. They talk about gun rights. What about Chris’s right to live? When will this insanity stop?” [1] Out of his unimaginable grief, this father found the strength to demand “immediate action” from our national leaders to curb gun violence by passing stricter gun-safety laws.[2] Martinez vowed, “I’m going to ask every person I can find to send a postcard to every politician they can think of with three words on it: Not one more… I’m asking people to stand up for something. Enough is enough.[3]” Our hearts break for Richard Martinez and all the families who lost their children to gun violence that day. Stand with Richard Martinez. Tell Congress: “I join Richard Martinez and demand immediate action to curb gun violence— NOT ONE MORE. Pass gun safety policies like comprehensive background checks on all gun purchases now.” We will send your message of support to Richard Martinez and to our national leaders in Washington, D.C. [1] “Roommates, 'a really great kid' among victims,” CNN, May 26, 2014. [2] “Father of victim in Santa Barbara shootings to politicians: ‘I don’t care about your sympathy,’” Kimberly Kindy, The Washington Post, May 27, 2014. [3] Ibid.

The father of one of the victims from the UCSB shooting asked everyone to stand up and do something, so I am starting this petition: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/father-of-victim-in-santa-barbara-shootings-to-politicians-i-dont-care-about-your-sympathy/2014/05/27/8a030d10-e5ad-11e3-a86b-362fd5443d19_story.html?tid=sm_fb Sign it. Send a message to your elected officials. Let's begin to end the madness.

Last month 6 Santa Barbara students were killed, 3 with legally purchased handguns; 5 more were shot. Then? Shootings in Seattle, Las Vegas, and Portland. Congress needs to legislate reasonable and responsible controls on guns and ammunition -- common sense breaks on free and too-easy access to automatic and semiautomatic weapons. Lack of reasonable and responsible gun controls has no place in a free and safe society.

As part of the Isla Vista and University of California, Santa Barbara community, we are heartbroken over the recent mass shootings claiming the lives of our students, and historically in the US. How many more have to die before our Representatives take responsibility and acknowledge popular support for the creation of sensible policies restricting gun ownership to curb deaths from gun violence? We demand action be taken to enact strict regulations on firearms to prevent yet another mass shooting tragedy. This might include multiple policies such as: enacting tougher background checks, longer waiting periods, outlawing automatic weapons, requiring psychiatric evaluation, incentivizing the return of firearms to law enforcement, etc.

AFTER HEARING THE FATHER OF ONE OF THE VICTIMS, NAMED MARTINEZ, SAY HE NEVER COULD BELIEVE IT COULD HAPPEN TO HIS SON AND IT IS TIME WASHINGTON STOPPED BEING AFRAID OF THE NRA AND THINK OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY, NOT THEIR OWN POLITICAL GAINS!!!

We have a society that ignores facts. It helps if the facts are ubiquitous and everywhere in evidence.