Team,

I served two combat tours in Iraq. I never thought I would see weapons in my community reminiscent of the type that my Marines and I used on the battlefield.

Yet here we are — again. Nineteen children and three adults died in their classrooms after another senseless act of gun violence in our home state of Texas and our home district of TX-23.

That’s why I’m asking you to consider donating to support this relief fund for the victims, their families, and those impacted by the Uvalde school shooting.

Team, I am heartbroken. I am frustrated. I am seething.

As a gun owner and a veteran, I understand the many reasons to possess a firearm.

What I cannot understand is the inability of our leaders to enact bi-partisan gun safety reform. When will Congress act?

The shooting in Uvalde is only the most recent reminder that Republican leaders value gun ownership and the NRA’s mega donations more than education. More than mental health services. More than innocent human lives.

Without common sense, proven measures — favored by a majority of Americans already — to prevent gun violence, it is only a matter of time before another community and heartbroken families are thrusted into the national spotlight for a senseless tragedy that never should have occurred.

We need to reconfigure our priorities. We need to address the root causes of violence, like the lack of mental health care for our communities AND hold our leaders in office accountable for their failure to ensure that our communities are safe places to live, work, shop, pray, and study.

This is why I am running to represent TX-23. Because the horrific violence we are seeing could have been prevented.

Let us not forget that Tony Gonzales voted against the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and the Violence Against Women Act — both of which would prevent guns falling into the hands of those who aim to commit violence, like yesterday’s shooter.

Texans deserve better. I do not accept the rhetoric from GOP politicians that tells us that thousands of lives lost each year to gun violence is the price we must pay to protect our Second Amendment Rights.

Together, we can enact legislation that protects our families and communities, addresses the mental health crisis, AND allows for responsible gun ownership.

Team, today we mourn. Tomorrow we fight for gun safety reform so that no more families suffer the same fate.

In solidarity,

John Lira

P.S. Please consider supporting the victims and the families impacted by this tragedy by making a donation to the relief funds.