I’ve never been one to write letters, but I’ve reached my limit for grief and rage on the gun control debate. The shooting in Thousand Oaks marks the 307th mass shooting in America in 2018. The total number of gun-related deaths surpassed 12,000 people this year. Twelve thousand families who bury their loved ones and have to make sense out of a senseless and avoidable tragedy. It’s no longer safe to go to school, to work, to church, to a concert, and to a bar.

The worst part is that when asking others how can I help and get involved, no one seems to know. How has our government left us feeling so helpless and without a resolution?

I plan to write every government official I can with a call to action. I encourage others to do the same. I’m done waiting for answers and I’m done living in fear waiting for the next tragedy. It’s time for the government to step up and make some changes, starting with protecting and answering to the people it serves.

Melissa Humphrey

Kailua

Click here to read more Letters to the Editor.