I CARE Foundation Supports 'DEMAND A PLAN To End Gun Violence': Joel Walter, Peter Thomas Senese, Carolyn Vlk on Behalf Of I CARE's Board Urge Support

The overwhelming sadness and concern our nation feels in the aftermath of the tragedy of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy that took place in Newton, Connecticut should be equally measured by all individuals with intolerance of a lack of gun control and ammunition laws that will protect against the insanity of these unthinkable, incomprehensible events from happening again.

As we mourn the murder of the 20 young, innocent children, the taking of life of 6 defenseless educators, and the deadly assault of a mother who died at the hands of her child who she spent her life trying to help - as we grieve for the families who have suffered due to this mass murder - and as we recall the many innocent lives who were victims of murder by firearms, we must create a widespread and sweeping plan that will be directed at significantly lowering the 48,000 American citizens who are expected to be murdered by a gun during the upcoming next four years of President Obama's presidency.


The I CARE Foundation supports New York City Mayor Bloomberg and the scores of hundred's of mayors from around the nation who support the I DEMAND A PLAN and the MAYORS AGAINST ILLEGAL GUNS.  We thank and support Hizzoner's commitment to limit ease and access to guns because guns are the instrument that people use to kill.

It is unthinkable that nearly 48,000 American children will be murdered by a gun over the next 4 years.

It is unthinkable that nearly 125,000 American children will be murdered by a gun over the next 10 years.

It is incomprehensible to accept that the entire population of cities such as Simi Valley, Hartford, Ann Arbor, Flint, Cedar Rapids, East Los Angeles, Topeka, Stamford, Vallejo, or Springfield have less than the total expected number of murdered American's over the next ten years by the bullet of a gun.

It is unacceptable to think that the expected number of gun-related murders is equal to three entire professional baseball stadiums filled with cheering fans dying due to some cataclysmic event.

As we mourn all those who lost their life in Newton, Connecticut and as we remember the murder victims everywhere - not just those innocent lives who lost their life due to a mass-targeting - but everyone - the I CARE Foundation Demands a Plan.

We support all new laws that will prohibit the sale or possession of assault rifles.

We support all new laws that will prohibit the sale of all ammunitions designed to take human life, including bullets designed to pierce body armor.

We support all new laws and measures that will protect law enforcement officers in their line of duty.

We support new federal initiatives that would utilize technology to ensure that a firearm cannot be used unless the fingerprints of the user match the license use of the specific firearm.

We support the I DEMAND A PLAN initiative because, as child advocates fighting day-in and day-out to protect innocent children from international kidnapping and trafficking, we seek to celebrate life and each person's right to pursue happiness.

We can't imagine that it would take the immediate loss in totality of every individual living in a mid-sized American city such as those mentioned above for our nation's leaders to act.

Senator Feinstein

We support California Senator Feinstein's plan to reintroduce legislation to ban assault weapons.  We take the honorable Senator's words optimistically when she said that, "“I’m going to introduce in the Senate and the same bill will be introduced in the House, a bill to ban assault weapons. It will ban the sale, the transfer, the importation and the possession. Not retroactively but prospectively. And it will ban the same for big clips, drums or strips of more than 10 bullets. So there will be a bill. We’ve been working on it now for a year.” 

Senator Schumer

We take note that New York State Senator Charles Schumer that Congress "Could get something done," but only if the paradigm of the debate shifts. He said gun control advocates on the left must acknowledge that the Second Amendment allows the right to bear arms and that the right must stop engendering fear in gun owners that the gun control advocates want to take away all guns.

Schumer said his proposals would not interfere with the Second Amendment but would offer protections. He proposes a reinstatement of the assault weapons ban, a limit to the size of clips available for purchase and restrictions placed on the mentally unstable from obtaining guns.

We take note with hopeful optimism that the words "These tragedies must end," and that "We can't tolerate this anymore" spoken by President Obama will lead to a sweeping plan.

We acknowledge that the House of Representatives has year-after-year passed legislation that banned assault weapons; however, we also acknowledge that the Senate has been gridlocked.

President Obama

We urge all Senators to stop the gridlock and get something done.  We can't imagine anyone would need a semi-automatic, high velocity AR-15 Bushmaster assault rifle that is capable of letting out 30 rounds?

In honor of the memory of all who have lost their lives while being mindful of all our responsibilities to prevent the murder of more innocent lives, the I CARE Foundation is in support of the I DEMAND A PLAN Campaign and asks everyone to sign the petition urging our lawmakers to create and pass a sweeping plan that will significantly reduce the expected 125,000 Americans that will lose their life over the next 10 years on American soil by a bullet.

The I CARE Foundation

Finally, we take particular note that our society faces challenges when it comes to aiding and assisting individuals who suffer from neurological and mental health challenges, particularly individuals who, upon age of adulthood, fall out of social service support.  We recognize that this issue, similar to gun control, is complex.  Yet, in the dialogue of what tragically occurred in Newton, we believe it necessary that this issue is brought to light.

Our hearts are very heavy today, as they have been for the past few days due to the losses that have occurred.  Little said or done can ever bring back the lives of the innocent lives that were lost.  However, we can demonstrate our caring and true intent by creating new laws and policies that will stop the violence of guns. 

The Board of Directors and the Special Advisory Board of the I CARE Foundation urges everyone to please sign the I DEMAND A PLAN petition and support all initiatives that will address gun control laws.

As Hizzoner Mayor Bloomberg correctly said, "Words alone cannot heal our nation, only action can."

EIGHT WAYS YOU CAN HELP RIGHT NOW

The school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut is a tragedy beyond comprehension. You can send a message of condolence to the families here.

Working together, we can bring about meaningful, commonsense gun reform in this country. Below are ways to take action and get involved.

ADD YOUR SUPPORT

Join more than 300,000 Americans demanding a plan from President Obama and Congress to end gun violence. When you do, you'll also be signing up for our latest email updates. We'll email you with specific, time-sensitive actions that will make a difference.

http://www.demandaplan.org/newtown

SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY

After you sign, send the petition to your friends and family on Facebook and Twitter.

MAKE SOME CALLS

Call President Obama and your members of Congress.

• Call the White House: 202-456-1111
• Look up your Senator
• Look up your Representatives

Tell him or her:

• I urge you to support requiring a criminal background check for every gun buyer.
• 40% of all gun sales are private-party sales and are not subject to a background check under Federal law.
• We need background checks on all gun sales to keep guns out of the hands of criminals.

REACH OUT TO YOUR MAYOR

Mayors Against Illegal Guns is a bipartisan coalition of more than 725 mayors - representing 57 million Americans – who support common-sense gun laws.

Find out if your mayor is in the coalition HERE. If they are, thank them!

If they aren't, contact them and ask them to join by signing our Statement of PrinciplesHERE. You should mention:

• There are 34 gun murders every day in the U.S.
• Please join the 725+ mayors – from 43 different states – in our bipartisan coalition.
• This is not about the Second Amendment. It’s about keeping guns out of dangerous hands.

USE SOCIAL MEDIA

Advocate for change on Twitter and Facebook.

Follow @maigcoalition on Twitter for the latest news on the fight to stop gun violence in this country. You should tweet about the issue and consider using the hashtag #DemandAPlan.

Facebook is a great way to reach your friends and family. Like our page and share actions and news on your own page.

ORGANIZE IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Put together vigils, roundtable discussions, and rallies. Let us know what you’re up to by emailing organize@mayorsagainstillegalguns.org.

People of faith across the country will be hosting a Sabbath to Stop Gun Violence on the Jan. 5-6, 2013. We’ll send out more information as it becomes available.

WRITE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

When sending a letter to your local newspaper you might want to note:

• More than 725 mayors – representing 57 million Americans – support common-sense gun laws. Congress should too!
• Gun owners are also worried about illegal guns. In fact, 74 percent of NRA members agreethat we should require background checks for all gun sales.

DON'T BE SILENCED

Stay committed. With each new mass shooting, pundits and politicians like to say that now is not the time. We work alongside gun violence survivors and family members of victims. Their message is crystal clear: we cannot let moments of silence replace meaningful action. Now IS the time – and your help will make a big difference.

On Behalf of the I CARE Foundation and the organizations's board of directors and advisory board:

- Peter Thomas Senese , Joel Walter, Esq., and Carolyn Vlk

http://www.demandaplan.org/