Fordyce tragedy: Mass shooting crisis needs your voice

{NAME},  Two days ago, gunfire from a semi-automatic rifle shattered the peace in Fordyce, Arkansas. The Mad Butcher grocery store, a community cornerstone, became a scene of tragedy as four innocent lives were lost and several others injured.  In an instant, this small town of 3,200 Arkansans joined the growing list of American communities devastated by gun violence.  The victims represent a cross-section of Fordyce: 23-year-old nurse Callie Weems, leaving behind a 10-month-old daughter; 63-year-old Shirley Kay Taylor; 50-year-old Roy Sturgis; and 81-year-old Ellen Shrum. In moments, four generations were robbed of their futures, leaving a community to grapple with irreplaceable, unbearable loss. [A black and white Facebook image of Callie Weems and her 10-month-old daughter. A sash on the baby reads, “2024 Miss Spring Queen Winner.” A flower graphic overlaid on the image reads “23-year-old Callie Weems.” ]( Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders' response to this tragedy? Nothing but hollow "thoughts and prayers" - no action, no leadership, no change. [ Under Sanders' leadership, Arkansas has become a breeding ground for gun violence.  This isn't a coincidence—it's the direct result of a political party that prioritizes gun lobby interests over citizens' lives. It’s symptomatic of a larger crisis fueled by an unrestrained GOP in-state and nationwide and a complicit US Supreme Court that continues to erode gun regulations.  Our state ranks dead last in gun safety laws and 9th highest in gun deaths nationally.  [Every common-sense gun reform measure is systematically blocked by a bought-and-paid-for GOP, leaving Arkansans vulnerable. Sanders' unwavering loyalty to the gun lobby is clear, but the price is paid in Arkansan blood. How many more lives must be lost before our leaders value our safety over campaign contributions? Please help us fight back against this today.](  On June 14th, the U.S. Supreme Court dealt another blow to public safety by striking down the bump stock ban. This deadly decision makes machine gun-like weapons more accessible, potentially turning future tragedies even deadlier.  In the face of this dangerous ruling and the recent bloodshed on Arkansas soil, Governor Sanders remains shamefully complicit. This is a dereliction of duty.  But she knows that. She seems to revel in it. [A tweet from Sarah Huckabee Sanders posted on March 17, 2022, at 11:40 AM. The tweet reads: ]( At Vortex, we demand immediate action: universal background checks without exceptions, reinstated concealed carry permits, and a ban on high-capacity magazines. These aren't radical ideas—they're common-sense solutions proven to save lives. The majority of Arkansans support these measures, yet our leaders continue to ignore the will of the people. It's time to make our voices too loud to ignore.  [Your support today will help us push back against Sarah Huckabee Sanders' dangerous gun policies and ensure that Arkansas is represented by leaders who prioritize public safety over gun lobby interests. Help us defend the right of every Arkansan to live free from gun violence. Contribute today to help us mobilize voters across the state and drive meaningful change in our gun laws!](  We can't afford to wait for another Fordyce, another grieving family, another shattered community. Every day of inaction puts more Arkansan lives at risk. We must act NOW—before the next tragedy strikes.  Thank you,  Chris Jones [Support Vortex PAC >>](      Vortex PAC is a new grassroots movement to transform Arkansas politics away from the far-right. We are recruiting, training, and supporting Democratic candidates to flip all four of Arkansas’ U.S. congressional districts and help win back the House majority in 2024. [DONATE >>](   You can follow Vortex PAC on social media using the links below:  [Facebook]( | [X]( | [Instagram]( | [TikTok](   Paid for by Vortex PAC  ©2024 Vortex PAC, all rights reserved  Our mailing address is: Vortex PAC PO Box 1141 Springdale, AR 72765 We're sad to see you go, but if you believe you received this email in error, or you no longer wish to receive our emails you can unsubscribe using the link below: [Click here to unsubscribe.]( Sent via [ActionNetwork.org](. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from Vortex PAC, please [click here](.