I wrote my 11th letter to a legislator. I’m writing 21 letters to honor the 19 children and 2 teachers killed in Uvalde, Texas on May 24. This letter is a straightforward call for a nationwide ban on military style assault weapons. I stayed away from logic and reason. The argumentation can come later. For now, what is needed are voices that say enough is enough.
The letter:
July 9, 2022
Dear Senator Lauwers,
In the aftermath of the Fourth of July Highland Park parade massacre with seven more violent deaths, today’s letter to you calls for a nationwide ban on military style assault weapons. Enough is enough.
We as a society must come to the grim reality that there are too many guns in our midst. Period. End of sentence.
I write today with Jailah Nicole Silguero on my mind. She and her cousin, Jayce Luevanos, were both killed at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. Her photo remind me of myself at that age — wearing glasses and a big, innocent smile.
The summer winds on and families in Uvalde and Buffalo and Highland Park and Oxford are finding their way through days and hours of grieving. A ban on assault weapons would help us all.
Sincerely,
Wanda Eichler
Enc: info Jailah Nicole Silguero, age 10
Copy: Senator Mike Shirkey