Our country’s gun violence epidemic is a symptom of a much larger disease: the outsized influence corporate special interests have on our democracy.

The gun lobby uses its power in Washington to block popular policies that would keep people safe.

Katie Porter

Oct 31

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Katie Porter here.

I’ve started this Substack account to share with you some more in depth thoughts about topics that affect us all—from the epidemic of gun violence (below) to more lighthearted topics, this is my place to nerd out and share with you the things I couldn’t fit on the whiteboard.

This Substack account will always be free. My goal here is just to reach people—something that has become increasingly difficult with the current state of social media. If you’d like to invite a friend to subscribe, I’d be so appreciative—you can do so here.

Every time there’s a mass shooting, as a parent, I worry for my kids’ safety. As a Member of Congress, I’m pissed at my colleagues who let this happen.

Our country’s gun violence epidemic is a symptom of a much larger disease: the outsized influence corporate special interests have on our democracy. Like so many other industries, the gun lobby uses its power in Washington to block popular policies that would keep people safe.

I’ll always stand up to the gun lobby—including in a Congressional Hearing last year, where I attempted to get gun manufacturers to commit to simple safety features. As I said then, our government recalls and regulates everything from treadmills to romaine lettuce when these items cause people harm. Guns should be no different.

When it comes to preventing gun violence, here are a few concrete steps I’ll always push our country to take:

Protect the right to vote: It’s in the gun industry’s interest—and frankly, a lot of corporations’ interests—to limit access to the ballot box. They can’t buy off politicians if those same politicians don’t get elected.

Invest in all of our communities, not just a select few—we must invest in schools, in public spaces, in job opportunities, in lower costs for consumers—to prevent crime. And we must make investments in mental health services.

Pass legislation to keep people safe: We must reinstate a federal ban on assault weapons and ban high capacity magazines, require background checks on every single gun purchase, crack down on “ghost guns,” and end the gun industry’s broad immunity that protects manufacturers and dealers from being held accountable.

It’s time to stand up to the gun lobby and demand better from Washington.

Thanks for reading,

Katie Porter