Dear Editor:
Following the latest school shooting in Parkland, Florida, it seems that more and more people are joining together in urging lawmakers to strengthen, not weaken, gun laws. In Missouri, people are joining together to urge state representatives to reject House Bill 1936. Last week, a group of religious leaders condemned the bill, which would force churches and other locations such as schools, bars, and even daycare centers to allow people to carry hidden, loaded firearms on their premises.
As co-leader of the Jefferson City chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, I applaud these religious leaders' common-sense opposition to HB 1936. This bill and similar pieces of legislation are dangerous and encroach on the rights of citizens who do not want guns everywhere in our state. I welcome any local faith groups and concerned citizens to attend one of our upcoming chapter meetings and talk about how we can continue to let our elected officials know why we don't want guns in our churches and other sensitive places; and educate them about why legislation like HB 1936 will not make our community safer.