To my fellow grandparents:

How much do you love your grandchildren? It’s time, long past time, for us to step up. Have you let your NH and US legislators know how important gun violence prevention is to you? (NH.gov, House.gov or Senate.gov.) Have you told them we need to do more to address mental health issues? This fall, will you let all candidates know this is one of the issues you’ll be voting on? If we speak loudly and clearly in large numbers, they will hear us.

Our adult children are busy working and raising their children. We have more time. Let’s put it to the best possible use. When we’re thinking of gifts for the grandchildren, add some efforts to keep them alive and mentally healthy. Donate to one of the gun violence prevention groups, or join and ask how to help. (Everytown for Gun Safety, Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, Sandy Hook Promise)

Quoting Attorney Glenn Kirschner, “One can’t help but feel that we are forever sacrificing the lives of men and women, boys and girls, in our country’s determination to worship at the altar of unrestricted gun rights.”