In our second unit of Policy, we learned about the legislative branch, and the role it plays within the three branches that make up the policy of America. For our action project, we researched who our senators and representatives in our state are, and wrote a letter to them. In my letter below, I have written a letter to my house of representative to vote on a bill that I believe to be really important.
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ALLGCE Lab School
1535 N. Dayton St.
Chicago, IL 60642
May 8, 2020
Representative Jesús “Chuy” García,
3240 W. Fullerton Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
Gun violence is treated as something that happens in places that we don’t always see. It is talked about in the news and on the media. Not many have ever experienced or witnessed it close to home, yet it affects everyone’s safety and well being.
I am writing to you with the encouragement that you vote for the HR, bill 5717. If you are not already aware, the Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety Act of 2020 was created to better regulate the possession, selling, and transfer of firearms.
I believe that this bill will ensure the safety of many individuals all over the United States, especially here in Chicago, IL. Here are some of the key points from the summary:
- Raises minimum age--from 18 years to 21 years-- to purchase firearms and ammunition.
- Establishes new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties.
- Requires federally licensed gun dealers to submit and annually certify compliance with a security plan to detect and deter firearm theft.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot responded to this incident on April 8 at a press conference. “People know who the shooters are. You know who you are. These cowards cannot be given any shelter.” I bring up these facts to repeat how important not only I find this, but Ms. Lightfoot as well.
Many believe that with everything that is happening today, we cannot focus on anything other than the COVID-19 and that once the crisis involving the virus is resolved we can continue. We are at a higher risk of gun violence because of the spreading of the virus. Our police officers are testing positive with the COVID-19, with over 50 cases confirmed. If we are ever to run out of the police force, they will not be able to prevent gun violence, which will only add to the complicated pile of issues that we have to deal with. There is a relation between gun violence and the spread of the virus.
I have some of your recent votings, particularly the vote for the HR bill 8. You voted for the Bipartisan Gun Violence Prevention Legislation and spoke about why you knew it was important to make this vote. Although I have not been a victim or know anyone close that has been affected by gun violence, I know the devastating impacts that gun violence has caused. My school, Global Citizenship Experience Lab school, took part in a peaceful protest last year, to make people aware of gun violence. The protest centered around the school shootings that took, but was still very much related to gun violence. Taking what you have said from your website, five out of six homicides remain unsolved in Chicago alone.
Gun violence is still a problem, and the Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety Act of 2020 is another step to ending and preventing violence. I hope after reading this, you can agree with my points and make the best decision for not only Chicago but America. Thank you for taking the time to address my concerns and consider what I have written here.
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Hopefully, after reading this, letter, you will voice your concerns with what your representative and Senator are doing. I've learned a lot about what is going on in my city, after doing research for my letter. With the spread of Covid-19, a lot of things have changed and are changing. From what I've learned from making this letter, it is that even when there is a new greater issue, we cannot ignore other issues that have always existed.
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