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On Tuesday, May 24, a gunman entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, and fatally shot 19 children and 2 teachers in what is now the deadliest school shooting since Sandy Hook in 2012. It’s difficult, if not outright impossible, to make sense of this kind of senseless carnage, but as hopeless as we might feel in the face of now regular U.S. mass shootings, there are steps we can all take to help.
Below, find five actions you can take to stand with the victims and survivors of the Uvalde shooting and lessen the grip of the gun lobby on our country.
Donate to organizations working to pass anti-gun legislation and support victims of gun violence
Organizations including Everytown, Sandy Hook Promise, and Brady have been tackling the issue of gun violence systemically for many years. They rely on funding from those concerned about public safety—and the outsized influence of the gun lobby in shaping policy—to keep doing the work of minimizing the threat of guns in America.
Attend a march or protest in your area
Events planned to commemorate the Uvalde victims’ lives and protest the ongoing gun-violence crisis in the U.S. are taking place everywhere from New York City to Austin this weekend and beyond. Meanwhile, the student-led March for Our Lives movement is planning a rally and march in D.C. for Saturday, June 11.
Call your representatives to demand stricter gun-control regulations
You can find your local and state representatives by entering your zip code here, and here’s a guide to making the conversation as productive and informed as possible. (Don’t forget to identify yourself as a constituent!)
Divest from gun manufacturers
It can be somewhat complex to go about the process of making sure you’re not contributing to companies that benefit from gun sales, but tools like Gun Free Funds can help you make sure your funds aren’t invested in gun manufacturers like Sturm Ruger (RGR) and Smith & Wesson Brands (SWBI).
Donate blood
The Uvalde community is looking for blood donations, and officials have noted that it will be crucial to keep a steady supply in the coming weeks and months. If you’re in the Texas Hill Country area, you can learn more about blood donation here.
