It has to stop

Back in 2016, I had the pleasure to attend a political event where Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly spoke.  Giffords, you may recall,  is a former Member of Congress. She was shot in the head while meeting with her constituents.  Giffords and Kelly have made it their life's work to speak on the issue of gun violence and gun control

I was really impressed with Giffords.  She is so much more fragile than she lets on.  In person you can see the full extent of the deficits caused by her traumatic brain injury.  And yet, here she was, on the campaign trail, discussing her cause. 

In March 2018 I attended a program called March For Our Lives.   It was sponsored by three of Long Island's Members of Congress.   

I was very impressed with the bright, articulate student leaders who made their way to the stage. One young woman read a letter from a Parkland survivor, another told of how her cousin was killed in gun violence. And a young man asked us to sign the petition to Congress asking for sensible gun legislation.

And then there was a Kevin McCarthy.

Back in December 1993, a lunatic shot up a Long Island Railroad train.  He killed 6 people and wounded many others. McCarthy's father died in the attack, and Kevin was shot in the head.    Kevin’s mother Carolyn became an advocate for gun control, and eventually served a few terms in Congress.

In October 2018 I attended a vigil/rally in the aftermath of the mass shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. The event was sponsored by 16 synagogues and various other Jewish organizations.  There were about 2,000 of us packed into the synagogue sanctuary, mostly Jews, but members of other faiths as well.  

One of the most moving, and inspiring speeches of the evening... Linda Beigel Schulman.  She spoke about her son, Scott Beigel.  If that name doesn't ring a bell, let me refresh your memory.  Scott Beigel taught geography at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.  He was a hero who died saving the lives of his students.  His mother has chosen to honor his life by advocating for sensible gun control laws.

How many more of these vigils and rallies must I attend before something is done?

How many?

How many?

Dear G-d, how many?