To the Members of the Supreme Court of the United States,

I am writing to you today with a heavy heart and a sense of deep concern about our country's direction. The Supreme Court case National Association for Gun Rights v. City of Naperville seeks to quietly and insidiously legalize assault rifles and high-capacity magazines in all 50 states, despite assault rifles being the weapon of choice used in some of the most devastating acts of gun violence in recent memory.

Before I begin, I want to make it clear that my interest lies in the safety and well-being of my fellow Americans. As a neutral and objective observer, I cannot help but be alarmed at the potential ramifications of this move. 

The AR-15, for example, is a weapon of war, not a tool for hunting or self-defense. It has been the weapon of preference in numerous mass shootings, including the tragic events at Sandy Hook, Parkland, and Las Vegas. It is a weapon with no place in our communities and should not be made more accessible to civilians.

To legalize this weapon of war without any public input or debate would be a grave disservice to the American people. The decision to do so discreetly is an affront to democracy and transparency. It is underhanded and speaks volumes of where your true interests and morals lie. Any attempts to quietly legalize assault weapons indicate your interests do not lie in the best interest of the American people. We, the people, do not want this. 

I would like to remind you of a few of the most devastating tragedies involving gun violence in recent years. These incidents highlight the catastrophic impact that assault weapons like the AR-15 can have on communities:

Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting – 2012 – AR-15-style rifle
Las Vegas shooting – 2017 – several AR-15-type semi-automatic rifles, numerous high-capacity magazines
Uvalde shooting - 2022 - AR-15-style rifle
Parkland shooting – 2018 – AR-15-style rifle
Aurora theater shooting – 2012 – AR-15-style rifle
San Bernardino shooting – 2015 – AR-15-style rifles, 9mm semi-automatic pistols
Virginia Tech shooting – 2007 – Glock 19 handgun and Walther P22 handgun
Columbine High School shooting – 1999 – Hi-Point 995 carbine, Savage 67H pump-action shotgun, and TEC-DC9 semi-automatic pistol
Tree of Life synagogue shooting – 2018 – Colt AR-15 SP1 semi-automatic rifle, Glock .357 SIG handgun
Sutherland Springs church shooting – 2017 – AR-15-style rifle, Glock 19 semi-automatic pistol, Ruger SR22 semi-automatic pistol
Umpqua Community College shooting – 2015 – five handguns and a rifle
Charleston church shooting – 2015 – Glock 41 handgun
Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting – 2019 – AK-47-style rifle
Fort Hood shooting – 2009 – FN Five-seven pistol and a Smith & Wesson M&P pistol
Buffalo supermarket shooting - 2022 - Bushmaster XM-15 AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle
Midtown Atlanta shooting - 2023 - semi-automatic handgun
Virginia Beach shooting – 2019 – .45-caliber handgun with extended magazines
Thousand Oaks shooting – 2018 – Glock 21 handgun
Pulse nightclub shooting – 2016 – Sig Sauer MCX rifle and Glock 17 handgun
Dayton shooting – 2019 – AR-15 style pistol
Monterey Park shooting - 2023 - Cobray M-11/9 semi-automatic pistol, Norinco Type 54 7.62x25mm semi-automatic pistol
Boulder shooting – 2021 – AR-15-style rifle, semi-automatic 9mm handgun
Indianapolis FedEx shooting – 2021 – AR-15 style assault rifle and HM Defense HM15F semi-automatic rifle
Nashville Waffle House shooting – 2018 – AR-15-style rifle
El Paso Walmart shooting - 2019 - WASR-10 rifle, a semi-automatic civilian version of the AK-47
Binghamton shooting - 2009 - 9mm Beretta 92FS Vertec Inox, Beretta Px4 Storm .45 caliber
Washington Navy Yard shooting - 2013 - Remington Model 870 Express Synthetic Tactical 7-Round 12-gauge shotgun, Beretta M9 9mm semi-automatic pistol
Santa Fe High School shooting - 2018 - 12-gauge Remington 870 shotgun, Rossi .38-caliber snub-nosed revolver
Geneva County (AL) shootings - 2009 - Bushmaster XM-15 AR-15 style semi-automatic rifle, SKS, .38-caliber handgun
Cleveland, TX shooting - 2023 - AR-15 style rifle
Allen, Texas outlet mall shooting - 2023 - AR-15 style rifle

These are just some of the horrific tragedies that have directly resulted from gun violence in recent years. As you can see, the AR-15-style rifle has been the weapon of choice in many of these incidents. It is a clear and present danger to society. The fact that there is a movement to legalize this type of weapon in all 50 states is profoundly troubling and concerning. It is blatantly apparent that the Supreme Court is acting with bias and not in the best interest of the American people. Those in support should be ashamed for even considering allowing easier access.

In addition to the physical threats of allowing the widespread legal sale of assault weapons, there is also a vital mental health aspect to consider. 

Gun violence has far-reaching and devastating effects on mental health, both for direct victims and society. Survivors of gun violence often experience a wide range of psychological consequences, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, depression, and survivor's guilt. Witnessing or experiencing a shooting can lead to a pervasive sense of fear, hypervigilance, and a loss of trust in others. Additionally, communities affected by gun violence may suffer from collective trauma, resulting in increased rates of stress-related disorders and overall diminished mental well-being. The constant threat of gun violence also contributes to heightened societal anxiety, impacting individuals' overall sense of safety and security. Innocent Americans do not deserve this. Addressing the mental health impacts of gun violence requires comprehensive efforts, including preventive measures and access to trauma-informed care and support for affected individuals and communities. The United States already struggles to address mental health issues adequately; legalizing the sale of assault weapons will only worsen this. Is the government prepared to ramp up the mental health services crucial to those ultimately impacted by this decision? 

The Second Amendment grants Americans the right to bear arms, but it is not an absolute right. It is subject to reasonable regulation, as has been upheld by the Supreme Court in previous rulings. The AR-15 specifically is a weapon that falls under the category of, at minimum, reasonable regulation. It is a weapon that has no practical use in our daily lives and has repeatedly proven to be a deadly tool for mass destruction. 

What will it take for those in power to understand the very real severity of this enormous issue? Does your loved one have to be gunned down for this to resonate? Will that be the catalyst for the change that we as a country so desperately need, or will you continue to sit idly by as more and more people lose their lives at the hand of someone with a chip on their shoulder and an eagerness to take their frustrations out on innocent people with one of these weapons?

As Justice, you are responsible for protecting the American people from harm. Legalizing assault weapons would only lead to more tragedy and senseless loss of life. It is virtually guaranteed and not even close to what this country needs.

Gun violence is already a daily occurrence in our country. Mass shootings happen regularly. You must ensure that our laws reflect the values of our society and protect our citizens, not willingly put them in increased danger. 

I implore you to reconsider your actions and consider the dire consequences of legalizing assault weapons and high-capacity magazines in all 50 states. I urge you to uphold your duty to the American people and the Constitution rather than putting your political agenda and financial interests above the safety and well-being of our citizens. I implore you to consider the human cost of gun violence above all else and remember the victims of these tragedies as you decide. Do not open us up to further devastation. 

In conclusion, I want to remind you that you were appointed to the Supreme Court to serve the American people as a populous - not to bow or cater to lobbyists and those with their own selfish, individual interests. Do not act in a way that betrays the American people's trust in you. It is time for you to work for the best of the greater good of our country. The lives and well-being of countless innocent people are at stake. Do not let us down.