I am writing this petition with a heavy heart and an urgent calling. As someone who recently entered hospice, my time is limited, and I find myself driven to make a difference in the time that remains.  Minnesota has been rocked by a tragic event—a shooting at a church that claimed the lives of two innocent children and injured 21 others. This devastating incident is a painful reminder that violence and tragedy can strike anywhere and at any time.

Assault weapons have no place in our communities. These weapons, designed for rapid fire and mass casualties, should not be accessible to the general public. I believe that promoting peace and safety begins with banning the sale and access to these lethal firearms. Our priority should be protecting our children, our families, and our places of worship from such unimaginable violence.

Statistics reinforce the urgency of this matter: firearms have been involved in over 70% of all homicides in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The presence of assault weapons dramatically increases the potential for mass shootings, creating a chilling environment of fear and insecurity.

I call upon local and state legislators to take decisive action. Implement and enforce a ban on assault weapons and other rapid-fire firearms in our country. Require comprehensive background checks and stricter licensing regulations to ensure that only those who are fit and qualified may possess any firearm.

By signing this petition, you are joining me in a passionate plea to create a safer community, free from the threat of gun violence. Let us transform our grief into action and our tragedy into a testament of resilience and change. Let us cherish the lives lost by preventing further loss and devastation.

Please support this crucial initiative. Sign this petition and be part of the change we desperately need. Together, let us make our country a beacon of peace and safety. 

-Marlys Zetah