THE THREAT TO RATIONAL GUN CONTROL
That threat is also aimed at democracy, government by, of, and for the majority.
QUICK READ: The debate over whether more guns increase safety has been lost. The number of guns in the US has soared to 400 million, tracked by a parallel rise in gun deaths. While Democrats are proposing solutions, MAGA Republicans have been building a wide and potentially violent base by using lies designed to keep the culture wars aflame.
TAKE ACTION NOW:
BACKGROUND
A large majority of Americans want strong gun control laws. Strong gun control bills will pass the Democrat-controlled House and wither in the Republican-controlled Senate.
This ongoing pattern exposes the crisis at the heart of our democracy. America is being hijacked by MAGA Republicans, a minority of White men who are acting to protect their own power and privilege by excluding anyone else from decision making and voting.
Just this spring, for example, Democrats in the House passed bills to alleviate shortages of baby formula, investigate American terrorist organizations, slow climate change, and strengthen voting that the majority of Americans wanted.
Each bill died in the Senate which is controlled by Senators representing a small fraction of the US population.
This minority has also captured the Supreme Court. And as states change who can vote and how votes are counted, these MAGA Republicans could recapture the White House.
While Democrats are proposing solutions, MAGA Republican leaders have been building a wide and potentially violent base by using lies designed to keep the culture wars aflame.
These man-made culture wars, like the mask-mandate fight, always intentionally obscure the duties individuals have to all members of their community .
Strengthen your community. Call your Members of Congress today.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Demand what the majority wants – gun control. And make people aware of the weaponization of the filibuster. Say it out loud, “It is Republicans who are attacking our communities and our government.”
SEN. WYDEN:
Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Demand what the majority wants – gun control. And make people aware of the weaponization of the filibuster. Say it out loud, “It is Republicans who are attacking our communities and our government.”
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
You represent constituents who are not of one mind, especially about gun control. Nevertheless, you are politically pandering to the NRA at the price of children’s lives. Please reach across the aisle and find common ground to protect children as well as gun owners. Let government work.
ACTION TWO: Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Demand what the majority wants – gun control. And make people aware of the weaponization of the filibuster. Say it out loud, “It is Republicans who are attacking our communities and our government.”
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
You represent constituents who are not of one mind, especially about gun control. Nevertheless, you are politically pandering to the NRA at the price of children’s lives. Please reach across the aisle and find common ground to protect children as well as gun owners. Let government work.
Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Demand what the majority wants – gun control. And make people aware of the weaponization of the filibuster. Say it out loud, “It is Republicans who are attacking our communities and our government.”
Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Demand what the majority wants – gun control. And make people aware of the weaponization of the filibuster. Say it out loud, “It is Republicans who are attacking our communities and our government.”
Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Demand what the majority wants – gun control. And make people aware of the weaponization of the filibuster. Say it out loud, “It is Republicans who are attacking our communities and our government.”
ACTION 3: GOOD TROUBLE
GOOD TROUBLE: Below are opportunities to fight for our democracy. As John Lewis said, go make some “good trouble.”
TUESDAY 11:30am-12:30pm LETTER WRITING PARTY - INDIVISIBLE OREGON:
https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/442887/Fridays at 4 - Letter and Postcard Writing — Indivisible Oregon.
Learn about persuasive language and communication research at the Zoom ASO Movement Briefings every second Wednesday.
Join the campaign to hold the House and Senate at GiveNoGround.org
Work to protect democracy in the House by replacing retiring US Representative Peter DeFazio with another Democrat, replacing Democrat Kurt Schrader, the “Manchin of the House,” with a progressive, and electing a Democrat in Oregon’s new Congressional District 6.
Demand that your primary news source stop creating false equivalencies and just report the truth.
Check out the Poor People's Campaign Readies 'Massive, Nonviolent' Effort to Save Democracy
Outside of Portland? Check out COIN Oregon.
Rally inconsisent Democratic voters to vote in 2022 with Progressive Turnout Project | Feb, 2022 | Medium
FURTHER READING:
Polls show a solid majority of Americans want gun control - Vox
How the NRA Rewrote the Second Amendment | Brennan Center for Justice
PolitiFact | Polls consistently show high support for gun background checks
Key facts about Americans and guns | Pew Research Center
Texas has chosen its response to mass shootings: a gun and a prayer | The Texas Tribune
