VOTE

Two children were just murdered at a Catholic School in Minneapolis. As a Catholic Christian, a mother, and an educator, I’m here to say—praying is not enough.

The stats do not lie, and they are screaming.

• According to the CDC, firearms are the leading cause of youth deaths (ages 1- 17)
• This rate has doubled since 2021
• States with more restrictive gun laws have fewer firearm-related deaths
• The U.S. is #1 in childhood deaths by firearms
• Of high-income countries, the U.S. comprises 97% of youth deaths by firearms (we are 46% of that total population)

This is a public health crisis. The majority of Americans agree: mentally ill individuals should not have access to guns. A fact the GOP ignores is that not every mentally ill person who is dangerous has a record of their mental illness or even a diagnosis. Almost all shooters get their guns from someone else (especially the youth). 

The mission of our Health and Human Services Department is to “enhance and protect the health and well-being of all Americans.” The response of its leader, RFK Jr., was to investigate anti-depressants rather than consider gun control reform. 

The ratio of guns to people in the U.S. is almost four times that of Canada.  We can blame the shooter, but mental health crises are not confined by borders. Other nations face this challenge, yet they don’t have the rate of gun deaths our nation suffers. 

The GOP seems set on exacerbating the crisis. They failed to deregulate gun silencers and other uniquely lethal firearms in the Big, Ugly Bill only because it was blocked by the Senate parliamentarian.

85% of Democrats favor banning assault-style weapons. 57% of Republicans oppose.  

85% of Democrats favor banning high-capacity ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. 54% of Republicans oppose.

I’ve been through active shooter training. Police scan the building and fire pellets while teachers hide behind tables. I’ve seen graphic footage of kids begging under desks until they are shot point-blank. I’ve taught kids to practice barricading the door and throw books they can hardly lift at a hypothetical assault rifle. I’ve hidden in a cabinet during an after-school threat.  

We are complicit UNTIL we collectively demand gun reform. Don’t just pray children aren’t murdered tomorrow—VOTE to end policy that enables murder. Vote for candidates who will fight so our children won’t have to die trying. 

Katie Frey
Rural Napoleon