While nearly 40,000 Americans (opens in new tab) die each year from gun violence, the Trump administration continues to defend the rights of gun owners and firearms dealers rather than focus on the safety of the American people. In direct response to this, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Republican) has refused to allow H.R. 8 (opens in new tab) - the most historic gun bill our country has seen in decades, requiring universal background checks - to be voted on the Senate floor. It has been on his desk since February 2019.

While the Trump administration did not initiate the epidemic of gun violence in the United States, President Trump has shown no signs of prioritizing gun safety in the past four years. Indeed, in the early days of the pandemic, Americans lined up outside hospitals wearing personal protective equipment while health care workers lined up outside gun stores after President Trump (open in new tab), a friend of the National Rifle Association (NRA) (open in new tab), deemed gun stores "essential business" ( (open in new tab). On the other hand, he said, "Free Virginia and defend the great Second Amendment. It is under siege." The tweet refers to the historic gun safety law (opens in new tab) passed in Virginia. The law would require background checks on all gun sales, mandate reporting of lost or stolen firearms, and reinstate Virginia's one-handgun-a-month policy. Also in the summer, Mark and Patricia McCloskey of St. Louis pointed guns at peaceful Black Lives Matter protesters walking in front of their home. President Trump rewarded their actions by allowing them to address the Republican National Convention (RNC) (open in new tab).

Gun control groups like Everytown for Gun Safety (open in new tab) and Moms Demand Action (open in new tab) continue to warn citizens about the Trump administration's threats to gun safety; Moms Demand Action is a "gun Judge Barrett, whom Moms Demand Action classifies as a "gun rights extremist," has strong views on the Second Amendment and, if she is confirmed by the Senate, is likely to uphold those views during her lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court. (For more on her views, click here (opens in new tab))

"Next week's hearing will bring this issue to the forefront to show how Judge Barrett's extreme and hard-line views on the Second Amendment harm real lives and in real ways," Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-NJ) told gun control leaders and experts at an October 8 said at a press conference (opens in new tab) with gun control leaders and experts on Oct. 8. Judge Barrett's jurisprudence will undermine and even block efforts to achieve universal background checks, emergency risk protection orders, safe storage laws, repeal of gun manufacturers' immunity, and other common sense measures to reduce gun violence." This is a clear, urgent, and real danger to millions of Americans across the country who want gun violence protection."

Those affected by gun violence understand the need for competent leadership on gun safety. Manny and Patricia Oliver (opens in new tab), parents of Joaquin "Guac" Oliver, who was killed in the Parkland shooting, have demanded change through their organization Change the Ref (opens in new tab) since that tragic day of February 14, 2018, have been calling on the American people to vote. Fred Guttenberg (opens in new tab), father of Parkland shooting victim Jamie Guttenberg, has also been an outspoken leader on gun control since his daughter was killed. And groups like Concerned Citizens (opens in new tab) and Community Justice Action Fund (opens in new tab) are working to make sure that gun violence is a daily reality (opens in new tab) for black and brown people in America. They are dedicated to helping the American public understand and raise awareness about the deadly consequences for Americans if Trump is re-elected.

While the issue of gun control has not been discussed in previous presidential or vice presidential debates (Trump's unofficial transcript on gun reform can be found here (opens in new tab)), Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris are, have laid out a clear plan (opens in new tab) to end gun violence in America if elected in November. This includes, but is not limited to, the following actions:

While the presidential race is arguably the most closely watched race in the 2020 election, there are other notable races to watch. Nearly 50 volunteer leaders from Everytown and Moms Demand Action (opens in new tab) are running for office, and you can find your local gun-savvy candidates here (opens in new tab). Moms Demand Action founder As Shannon Watts told Marie Claire (opens in new tab) in August, it is more important than ever to have a presidential candidate with gun common sense, "We deserve leaders who understand what Americans are suffering and are ready to act."