To the Editor:

In the Spring of 2014, I teamed up with Abbey Clements, my colleague at Sandy Hook School and formed SHS Educators 4 Gunsense. We had at that point, realized it was time to add our names to the growing chorus of voices that were demanding change from our elected leaders. In the last year and a half, various members of our group have chosen to March Across the Brooklyn Bridge, protest outside of NSSF, sign up #GunSense voters and recruit more people to support the cause of common sense gun laws. A number of us have joined forces with other like-minded people at Moms Demand Action as well as other #GunSense groups and continue to do what we can to support the cause of gun violence prevention with the fearless advocates we have met there.

I am also part of a family that values gun ownership and the Second Amendment. I applaud the actions taken last week by the President to reduce gun violence in this country. With the exception of some of our local representatives, Congress continues to fail us, and we need to stand up and make our voice heard across the country. The President’s orders will narrow the “unlicensed sale” loophole – through which millions of guns are sold each year – by clarifying which gun sellers need to get a license and follow all the rules that licensed gun dealers need to follow.  Simply, if you’re making a living by selling guns, you should be running background checks.

I support studying ways we can reduce gun violence, but the NRA doesn’t. How can that possibly make sense? They don’t speak for this family, or for that matter, 90 percent of the gun owners across the country. I also support manufacturing smart guns that can’t be used by a toddler to shoot a friend – something every single person should be able to get behind, but the NRA continues to fight against it.

Safety regulation for cars that include driver education, speed limit enforcement, drunken driving laws, air bags technology, safety belts and car seats all have contributed to a decrease in automobile deaths. One single thing will not prevent all of them, but each life we save is precious. The same can be said for gun violence prevention.

I am grateful for the survivors, victims’ families and my fellow Sandy Hook staff members who have taken up the call to action that will make our world a safer place for all of us. I am honored to have met so many good people who, despite the horrific crimes committed against their families, have chosen to stand up against the NRA and lawmakers who refuse to listen to those who put them in office. Background checks are not equal to confiscation. This is not a recipe for solving every problem, but it’s a start. Join us.

Mary Ann Jacob

65 Mohawk Trail, Sandy Hook         January 12, 2016