Since the tragic shooting in Aurora, Colorado just 13 days ago, 455 Americans have been murdered with guns. While the media continues to analyze every possible motive of the gunman in Aurora, our elected officials continue to ignore the the real issue - we need a plan to end senseless gun violence here in America and prevent incidents like this from happening in the future.

It is now known that the gunman possessed an AR-15, a 12-gauge shotgun, and one .40-caliber semiautomatic pistol, all three “among the most popular guns available in the multibillion-dollar American firearms market.” While semi-automatic rifles comprise a small percentage of gun-related crimes, their sheer firing power is a cause for worry. The gunman bought 3,000 rounds for the AR15, 3,000 rounds for the handgun, and 350 shells for the shotgun. A 100-round drum magazine was also found in the theater.

The gunman legally purchased all guns and ammunition under current law.

The 100-round drum magazine would have been banned under the 1994 Federal Assaults Weapon Ban (magazines could have a maximum of ten rounds under the ban). The Federal Assaults Weapon Ban, passed in 1994 under the Clinton Administration, expired in 2004 and has never been renewed, despite bills being repeatedly introduced. Democrats were notably hurt during the 2000 presidential election, when Al Gore lost key rural populations over the gun rights issue. Since then, the issue of common sense gun control has been abandoned by a majority of Democrats and faded from political discussions. 

Our friends at Mayor's Against Illegal Guns have launched a new campaign, Demand A Plan, calling on President Obama and Governor Romney present plans to end gun violence. From the Demand A Plan website:

More than 48,000 Americans will be murdered with guns during the next president’s term. How can President Obama and Governor Romney face that chilling fact without a plan?

In the aftermath of the Aurora, Colorado shootings, both candidates made moving statements that echoed the sympathy we’re all feeling. But words of condolence are not enough. The time has come for meaningful action.

Call on the candidates to present their plans to address the daily toll that gun violence takes.

Sign the petition to Demand A Plan to End Gun Violence.

There are reasonable bi-partisan steps we can take right now to prevent this tragedy from happening elsewhere. Contrary to popular belief, common sense gun control measures have wide support from citizens across the country. According to a recent survey by Republican pollster Frank Luntz:

• 87 percent of NRA members agree that support for Second Amendment rights goes hand-in-hand with keeping guns out of the hands of criminals.
• 74 percent of NRA members and 87 percent of non-NRA gun owners support requiring criminal background checks of anyone purchasing a gun.
• 79 percent of NRA members and 80 percent of non-NRA gun owners support requiring gun retailers to perform background checks on all employees.

Visit www.DemandAPlan.org and help put an end to gun violence across the country.