We Need Gun Control, Not Anti-Trans Bigotry

Two children are dead after a mass shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis. Their lives were stolen in an act of senseless violence that has shattered a community and traumatized countless others. It is heartbreaking, it is infuriating—and it demands real action from Congress.

But instead of addressing the crisis of gun violence, some right-wing voices are using this tragedy to vilify an already marginalized group. Because the alleged shooter, Robin Westman, is being reported as transgender, the far-right is flooding the media with fearmongering and scapegoating.

Let’s be clear: gender identity does not cause violence. Trans people are overwhelmingly more likely to be victims of violence, not perpetrators. In fact, less than one-tenth of one percent of mass shootings involve trans individuals. The overwhelming majority of mass shooters in America are cisgender men. Yet when they commit horrific acts, their identity is rarely used to condemn an entire community.

Tell Congress: We need gun control, not anti-trans bigotry.

What we’re witnessing is a deliberate effort to distract from the real drivers of mass violence: the flood of guns in our communities, and the refusal of Congress to act. 

There have already been dozens of school shootings this year alone. Children are dying, and instead of passing life-saving legislation, some lawmakers are exploiting tragedy to score political points.

The answer to gun violence is not more hate. It’s common-sense gun reform. We must demand that Congress stop stalling and pass legislation to ban assault-style weapons, close background check loopholes, and get weapons of war off our streets.

Lives are on the line. Don’t let this moment be hijacked by bigotry. Demand action that will actually save lives. Sign the petition and tell Congress: We need gun control, not anti-trans hate.