please read. don’t delete.

[{NAME}, as students and their families head back to school, we want to share the story of our son Joaquin (“Guac”), who was slaughtered in his school alongside 16 other students, educators, and staff. But if you can’t read our son’s full story, will you chip in $15 to help Ban Assault Weapons NOW! fight to elect champions who will work to eradicate assault weapons like the one that took our son from us? BAWN is facing a crucial deadline – so we’re personally asking if you’ll help them hit their budget goal of 859 gifts before midnight. Your support means more to us than you can understand. >>]( [Guac and us enjoying a meal out](Guac and us enjoying a meal out {NAME}, five years ago our son Joaquin walked into his high school – and never walked back out. Guac was 17. He had only a few months to go before graduating when he was murdered in the halls of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School by a gunman with an assault rifle. Five years, and THOUSANDS of mass shootings later, our elected leaders still haven’t passed a ban on assault weapons like the one that stole our son. [The truth is: The United States is the only nation where we send our kids to school and don’t know if they’ll come home on the bus or in body bags.]( And now, students across the country are returning to their schools for a new year. [{NAME}, our children deserve better than dying in the halls of their schools. Our educators and school staff members deserve better. They deserve to live. But unless we kick out every cowardly politician that refuses to support a federal assault weapons ban, our schools will NEVER be safe. That’s why we’re asking you to stand alongside our family and BAWN, help us elect Democratic candidates who will amplify our voices, and FINALLY get assault weapons out of our communities. But, we are still 859 gifts behind our critical goal. Can you chip in $15 before midnight to say you’re with us? >>]( We made a promise in our hearts to never let Guac’s death be in vain. He is a fierce advocate for gun safety – now we continue his fight. So, we’ve spent the summer traveling to the sites of modern mass shootings to spread Guac’s message and pressure our lawmakers to take action to end gun violence. [Inside Guac’s Magical School Bus with Sam Schwartz](Inside Guac’s Magical School Bus with Sam Schwartz We even drove [23 school buses]( to the National Rifle Association’s HQ, which resemble the [1,252 children shot and killed]( so far in 2023 alone. But, while we traveled, [40+ more mass shootings]( were added to the count. While we traveled, [1,100+ more lives]( were stolen at the barrel of a gun. The pain – the loss – the families ripped apart… It’s devastating. It’s horrifying. [And we have a duty to put an end to it.]( [So, {NAME}, we’re asking you to join our fight too – because we need everyone on our side if we’re going to put an end to these mass slaughters. Please, will you pitch in $15 to help us make this the year we stamp out school shootings and mass shootings of all kinds? If 859 gun safety champions step up before midnight, they’ll secure the funds to put pressure on every single lawmaker to pass an assault weapons ban and the funds to kick out those lawmakers who refuse to fight for the people. Can we count on you? >>]( [Chip in $15 now >>]( [Chip in $25 now >>]( [Chip in $50 now >>]( [Chip in $100 now >>]( [Chip in another amount now >>]( Thanks for fighting alongside us, Patricia and Manny Oliver Parents of Joaquin Oliver Founders of Change the Ref [PS: Learn more about this summer’s Guacathon Bus Tour and our continued fight to end gun violence at Change the Ref >>](        �  �   BAWN is committed to replacing every cowardly and complacent lawmaker, regardless of party, that denies your right to live without fear of being shot. Legislators that support the deadly proliferation of guns, instead of common sense gun safety measures, are responsible for the carnage of gun violence -- and must be voted out. BAWN also lobbies legislators to support the assault weapon and large capacity magazine ban bills that will help put an end to the slaughter of innocent Americans. But they can’t do this alone. BAWN is relying on your support to kick every coward who refuses to protect our children and families OUT of office. Will you chip in right away? [DONATE](   To learn more about our story, watch this video from our chair Gail Schwartz [here.]( [I'm Gail Schwartz, Chair of Ban Assault Weapons Now](   To learn more about our work, watch this video from the families of Parkland and Pulse [here.]( [Weapons of War Video](    [If you want to stay updated but receive fewer emails, please let us know.]( [Unsubscribe]( Ban Assault Weapons NOW 6619 S Dixie Hwy #148 Miami, FL 33143 United States  Paid political advertisement paid for by Ban Assault Weapons NOW          Sent via [ActionNetwork.org](. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from Ban Assault Weapons NOW!, please [click here](.