OPINION:
As I sit here tonight with my two children, I am heartbroken and angry. Our Congress has failed to act to protect American families. Although an enormous percentage of Americans support background checks, Congress has rejected our call for reform. Recently, 45 senators voted against a bipartisan, expanded background-check legislation dubbed “the Manchin-Toomey bill” (“Leaks hurt gun-control bill, Sen. Pat Toomey says,” Web, April 24).
This legislation was easy, smart and patriotic. The vote of these 45 senators was cowardly and ignored the will of the American people. These legislators voted in favor of special interests instead of the best interests of Americans.
I called my 80-year-old grandmother to talk to her about the news. A lifelong Republican, she was frustrated by Congress’ failure to pass what she saw as a simple and obvious action. I called my father next. He is a gun-loving NRA member who cherishes his Second Amendment rights. He, too, was angry that such an easy step — that could possibly protect his grandchildren, while not taking his Second Amendment rights away — had failed.
It is not often my entire family is in agreement on a political issue. It’s not often we view those standing in the way of protecting us as the same people. I pray Congress will hear the cry of American mothers, fathers, grandparents and great-grandparents. We are watching, waiting and speaking up. Without action, we will go to the polls at the next elections to change the Congress, one vote at a time.
SHELBY GRANT-WORKMAN
Alexandria, Va.
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