In May, as part of Moms Demand Action's Demanding Women series (opens in new tab), I had the privilege of a one-on-one discussion with 2020 Democratic vice presidential candidate (opens in new tab) Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) on gun violence prevention. I had the opportunity to discuss gun violence prevention one-on-one with Sen. When she appeared on the screen, I greeted her by saying, "How are you?" Instead, the Senator looked me squarely in the face and said, "I'm very happy to see you. There is much suffering."

Compare this response to President Donald Trump's now famous comment about the rising death toll from COVID-19: "That's the reality. (open in new tab)" That is also President Trump's attitude toward gun violence. Inaction and indifference in the face of suffering has become the norm for this administration.

America is in the midst of two deadly public health crises: COVID-19 has claimed over 165,000 lives (opens in new tab), while gun violence continues to kill an average of over 100 Americans per day (opens in new tab) and injure hundreds more Sadly, our nation's gun violence epidemic (open in new tab) did not end when the pandemic began (gun sales skyrocketed (open in new tab) and deadly gun violence (open in new tab) in our country skyrocketed). The death rate from COVID-19 is 2.5 times that of white Americans.

According to a recent poll (open in new tab), a majority of Americans believe that gun safety measures have become more important in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Gun safety has been one of the defining issues of this election. It is what will motivate people to go to the polls, especially women voters who will play a decisive role in choosing the next president. We are proud to fight so hard to elect Vice President Biden and Senator Harris. We need a presidential candidate with more sense with guns now more than ever."

In addition to Senator Harris' impressive career as a Senator, State Attorney General, and District Attorney, and his longstanding "F" rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA), Senator Harris has spent his career voting for and enforcing the very laws we know keep our communities safe. While in Congress, Senator Harris co-sponsored life-saving gun violence prevention legislation, including requiring background checks on all gun sales and regulating assault weapons, high capacity magazines, and 3D printed guns (opens in new tab). She has also worked to keep guns out of the hands of people who should not have them, including abusive romantic partners, stalkers, people convicted of violent hate crimes, and people who pose extreme danger to themselves or others. She fought for the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (open in new tab) and condemned the NRA for its eagerness to put women's lives at risk in order to sell more guns.

Meanwhile, President Trump is not only failing to act against gun violence, he is making it worse. Time and again, the President has called for violence against peaceful protesters and singled out the NRA, which funded his 2016 campaign (open in new tab) more than any other outside group, over the American people. Since he took office, 140,000 Americans have died from gun violence. Since he took office, 140,000 Americans have died from gun violence. Gun safety legislation continues to sit on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's desk as people die on the streets (opens in new tab).

The gun lobby has enjoyed three and a half years of a puppet president who will do anything to sell more guns, even at the cost of people's lives. But now, thanks to our activism, the NRA is imploding (opens in new tab). President Trump is going down in the polls and the gun safety movement is poised to win a major victory.

It is clear that the United States is not out of the worst phase of the COVID-19 crisis. The overwhelming death toll from the pandemic and gun violence continues to rise. This crisis is more serious than ever, and we have never had to make tougher choices than the choices we will make in November about who we want to lead us through these crises. President Trump has shown us time and time again that he intends to shoot up the streets, stoke fear, promote racism and hatred, and watch the country burn like a blazing fire. In contrast, Vice President Biden and Senator Harris promise to lead with science, compassion, and action.

Americans deserve a better way of life than to live in constant fear of losing loved ones in shootings or COVID-19. We deserve leaders who understand that Americans are suffering from these dual crises and are ready to act. I am finally ready to swear in our nation's first Black and Asian American Vice President. The future of our families' lives and our country depends on it.