Yesterday, in Georgia, a 14-year-old boy walked into his high school with an AR-style weapon and took the lives of two students, two teachers, and wounded nine others. It’s a story we’ve heard too many times. Each new tragedy chips away at our collective outrage, and we fight the numbness that threatens to take over. Because once we go numb, we lose. We lose our compassion, our humanity, and worst of all, we lose the battle for our children’s future.
I try to imagine it. I try to imagine hearing the words no parent should ever hear: “There’s been a shooter at the high school.” I try to picture the fear that would rip through me knowing that my child is inside. I think of the panic that would clench my chest as I fumble to grab my keys, barely able to breathe. I try to picture the drive to the school, desperate prayers mixing with waves of terror about what I’ll find when I arrive. And then, I try to imagine being the unluckiest of all—the parent whose child didn’t make it out. Or, God forbid, the parent whose child was the shooter.
It’s unbearable to imagine. But we must. You must. We all must. Because if we don’t, we are failing those kids—kids like the ones in Georgia, who won’t come home again. And kids like yours and mine, who deserve a world where this isn’t the new normal.
I’m not here to pretend I have the magical solution to gun violence, or that I’ve cracked the code on mental health. But here’s what I do know: this country is filled with some of the brightest minds on Earth. We’ve landed people on the moon. We’ve invented technology that can connect us across continents in seconds. And yet, when it comes to protecting our children from being gunned down in their classrooms, we throw our hands up and say it’s too complicated. We dig our heels into our own narrow viewpoints and refuse to listen to anyone who sees it differently. That is not acceptable.
Let me be crystal clear: not holding our legislators accountable is also not acceptable. My opponent, Jeff Bradley, was personally thanked by the NRA for his vote on Constitutional Carry. Bradley didn’t pull the trigger in Georgia, but what has he done to make us safer? He’s voted to put guns into the hands of 18-year-olds with no required training. He’s supported permit-less open carry. Tell me, how does that make sense, Mr. Bradley? How does voting for Constitutional Carry while refusing to back safe firearm storage laws make sense? Sponsoring a bill that requires training to drive a boat but not to carry a gun—does that make sense to anyone?
Let me tell you what does make sense. As your next House Representative for District 123, I will sit in a room with anyone—anyone—who is focused on finding solutions. I will not waste time on those who only want to obstruct progress. I will fight to reinstate gun safety training with reasonable permit turnaround times. I will push for safe firearm storage laws because keeping guns out of the hands of children and away from dangerous situations just makes sense.
I will invest in public service campaigns to educate our communities about safe storage and responsible gun ownership. I will stand with those who support universal background checks because keeping guns away from those who shouldn’t have them makes sense. I will advocate for increased funding for mental health professionals in schools and statewide mental health resources. I will work hand in hand with law enforcement and security professionals to create safer school environments without forcing teachers to become armed guards. And yes, I will spend taxpayer dollars to protect our children and our communities, and I will do it unapologetically.
I’m asking for your vote because this isn’t just about policy—it’s about protecting our kids. It’s about making sure that when you drop your child off at school in the morning, you can be confident you’ll see them again in the afternoon. We can’t afford to stay numb anymore. Let’s get to work.