EVENTS
Three call Thursdays
We are starting a new weekly series suggested by Indivisible Rockland members! Every Thursday we will put forward a topic and a short script for you to call Lawler, Schumer and Gillibrand.
We know that the one thing that rattles our congressional reps is constituent phone calls. These are especially effective if one’s congressman is planning to run for governor and if they are eager to maintain their “moderate” label.
So let’s get on the phones. Every Thursday, we will flood Congressman Lawler’s phone lines. If everyone on this list makes a call, and gets 3 friends to make a call, we will overwhelm his switchboards and his staffers. They count the calls and absolutely feel the pressure of public sentiment.
We will also call Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, because it’s important for Dem reps to hear from us, too.
This Week’s Topic (March 9th): Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill, H.R. 38
New York has worked hard to pass gun laws that will keep our residents safe. Since we flipped the State Senate in 2018 (thanks to many of you!), New York has passed 47 different bills, resulting in our state having one of the lowest rates of gun violence in the country.
HOWEVER (because these days there’s always a however), Republicans in Congress are working to pass a bill called the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, a dangerous bill to gut our gun laws and allow anyone to carry hidden loaded guns in public.
You heard that right. If passed, this bill would actually override our laws here in New York about who can carry a gun in public and where -- Allowing people with dangerous histories, like those convicted of violent crimes, to bring hidden guns almost anywhere, including into our parks, bars and even private daycares.
The only way for us to stop this is to get loud and we need your help to speak up for our community’s safety.
Congressman Lawler could be the deciding vote on this. We have been asked to drive calls to his office that will show him how strongly constituents feel about this bill.
This week’s script:
Hi, my name is XXX and I live in TOWN. I’m calling today to urge the Congressman not to support the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill, H.R. 38
H.R. 38 is a deadly bill that would gut our gun laws and endanger our community. To protect folks in his district, he must oppose ‘concealed carry reciprocity’. Thank you.
Congressman Lawler: (202) 225-6506
If no one answers and you get a machine, leave a voice mail message and include your name and hometown.
If you get people who aren’t in the district to call Lawler’s office, tell them to say they know he’s running for governor and as a future constituent, they want their voices heard.
More info on Concealed Carry Reciprocity:
Here in New York, we have common-sense gun safety laws about who can carry a concealed weapon. Our state’s law requires someone who wants to carry a hidden and loaded gun in public to get a permit -- which involves a background check and firearms safety training. But that’s not the case in all states. In fact, some states allow folks to carry a loaded hidden gun without a permit.
This bill overrides our state’s law and standards and forces all 50 states to allow individuals from any other state to carry concealed guns in public within their borders — whether or not they can meet that state’s standards.
And it’s not just a violation of our state’s rights, it’s a deadly race to the bottom that all but guarantees more gun violence in our neighborhoods.
Previous week’s script (March 2nd):
My name is XXXX and I’m from XXXX town. I’m calling to tell the Congressman/Senator to vote AGAINST HR22/S128 the SAVE ACT.
It is already illegal for non-citizens to vote. This bill has the potential to create barriers for millions of voters, including married women, to register, it targets marginalized communities, it will purge legitimate registered voters from the rolls. It is a voter suppression bill and the Congressman/Senator must vote against it.
Congressman Lawler: (202) 225-6506
Senator Schumer: (202) 224-6542
Senator Gillibrand: (202) 224-4451
If no one answers and you get a machine, leave a voice mail message and include your name and hometown.
If you get people who aren’t in the district to call Lawler’s office, tell them to say they know he’s running for governor and as a future constituent, they want their voices heard.
For more information on the SAVE ACT, go here.
