Letter to the Editor: Gun Laws Need to Change

Dear Senator-elect Warren,

I know that you, like all Americans, are grieving after this week's  I myself am overwhelmed with sadness at yet another senseless shooting. Beyond these feelings of grief, I am also overwhelmed by the feeling that, as soon as this horrible tragedy leaves the headlines, once again our nation will carry on with the same gun laws that allow deadly weapons to fall into the hands of the mentally ill. 

Every time one of these horrendous incidents occurs, we hear talk about how things need to change, but nothing ever happens. I understand how difficult this issue is politically. That is why I have chosen to write to you. You were just chosen to represent Massachusetts after a ground-breaking election. You have a mandate to go into the Senate and to fight to protect your constituents and Americans nation-wide. If anyone is positioned to be a leader on this issue, it is you.

You made Massachusetts families the focus of your campaign. As today's heartwrenching tragedy has demonstrated yet again, the biggest threat to families and public safety are lax gun laws. 

Our nation is suffering and we are in need of your courageous leadership. Someday soon I hope to look back on this moment and to realize that we are living in a safer country thanks to brave leaders like yourself who stood up against violence. We elected you to fight for all of our families and history will judge whether you do so in this moment. 

Sincerely,
Kendall Hope Tucker
Old County Road, Sudbury
Columbia University, 2014