To the Editor:

As a clinical social worker, I am acutely aware of the impact of gun violence on entire communities. Ninety-six Americans die from gun violence every day, with hundreds more injured. Most of these deaths no longer make the headlines, and there’s no way to measure how many more lives are impacted. Lockdown drills at the start of the school year is a stressor unique to American children.

The biggest concern to me is the link between guns in homes and death by gun suicide. Having a gun in the home makes it far more likely that a suicide attempt, which is often impulsive, will be successful. It’s access to a firearm that puts someone at highest risk of death by suicide. I now ask every client in my practice whether they have a firearm in their home.

Connecticut has some of the strongest gun laws in the country, and we must keep it that way. Commonsense measures such as closing deadly loopholes, promoting gun safety, and supporting reasonable limits on how and where loaded guns are carried are all top priorities for me. For this reason, I am supporting Michelle McCabe for State Senate in the 28th district.

It is time to hold all of our elected officials accountable. They can’t just tell us they support strong gun safety laws; they need to show us with their votes. Michelle is endorsed by Everytown for Gun Safety and is a Moms Demand Action Candidate of Distinction. I have no doubt that she’s the right person to fight to keep our communities safe. This is more than an election; it’s a fight for the safety and well-being of our children.

This November 6th, vote for safety! Vote for Michelle McCabe.

Amy Cawman

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Moms Demand Action Volunteer

2321 Mill Plain Road, Fairfield         October 18, 2018