Moms have had enough; call for gun regulations

On Dec. 14, the horrific slaughter of 20 defenseless 6- and 7-year-olds stirred something in all of us. Mothers and fathers across the country grieved with the families of Newtown, Conn. We were stunned, shocked, deeply saddened and, most important, moved to change.

One Million Moms for Gun Control was founded by a Zionsville mother, Shannon Watts, the day after the Newtown massacre. In a few weeks, our ranks swelled to 70,000 members, with the potential to reach 80 million mothers nationwide. We have traditionally remained quiet in the discussion regarding gun control, but no longer. We are changed. We are strong. We are speaking out.

Every day in the United States, 270 people are shot, including 47 children. Of the 270, 87 die. Every year almost 100,000 people and 20,000 children in America are shot; 31,000 die from their wounds, including 3,000 children. We have had enough. The time has come for change.

A recent poll estimated that more than 90 percent of Americans, including gun owners, overwhelmingly support universal background checks. The National Rifle Association opposes this because, as Wayne LaPierre, its spokesman, says, “criminals won’t submit to a background check.” Since when was the fact that criminals break laws a reason for not having any? This logic is flawed. The fact is that laws reduce death, period.

http://www.indystar.com/article/20130224/OPINION/302240011/Moms-had-enough-call-gun-regulations