After Orlando, what do we do?

Shock. Grief. Fear.

These are three basic emotions we are all feeling in the aftermath of the horrific shooting that shattered the peace in an Orlando night club in the early morning of June 12th. As the news media has reminded us repeatedly, it was the deadliest mass shooting in the history of the United States.

Many supporters of Delco United are wondering, what do we do now?
To begin with, we are promoting three actions that we urge you to take in the coming days that will help to transform shock, grief, and fearinto courage, determination, and hope.

First, call U.S. Congressman Patrick Meehan (R-7) at 202-225-2011and demand that he support H.R. 4269, legislation that would ban military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines (See background info and talking points posted below).

Next, come out to a “Vigil for the Victims” of the Orlando mass shooting tomorrow, Wednesday, June 15th, from 5:30-6:30 p.m., at the Delaware County Courthouse, 201 W. Front St., Media, PA 19063.  The event will include a “die-in” on the courthouse lawn and a reading of the names of the 49 who were slain. The event is co-sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County and Delaware County United for Sensible Gun Policy.

Then, join Delco United in a Call to Action for a Federal Ban of Military-style Assault Weapons and High Capacity Magazinesoutside the Delaware County office of U.S. Congressman Patrick Meehan (D-7) on Saturday, June 18 from 10:30 AM to 12 Noon.  We will call on Congressman Meehan to co-sponsor H.R. 4269.

We will gather at Springfield Friends Meeting, 1001 Old Sproul Road in Springfield, at 10:30 am, for a brief orientation. We will then conduct a short procession to the office of Congressman Meehan, 940 West Sproul Road in Springfield, for a Call to Action for a Federal Ban of Military-style Assault Weapons and High Capacity Magazines.

For more information about any of these actions, please email Terry Rumsey or call him at 484-326-1370.

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Background Info and Talking Points for Phone Call to Congressman Meehan

Congressman Meehan told Terry Rumsey, the Co-Chair of Delco United, that the death and destruction in Orlando had not changed his long-standing opposition to banning military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

When you call Congressman Meehan, let him know that it’s time to take action to prevent hate crimes, terrorism, and mass slaughter by banning military-style weapons and accessories designed for war  — not for use in our community gathering places, our houses of worship, and our schools. Let him know that you want him to co-sponsor H.R. 4269.
Ask to speak to the Congressman but be prepared to leave a message with the staff person.

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