(Washington, D.C., May 25, 2022)—B’nai B’rith President Seth J. Riklin (a Texan) and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:

What will be the tipping point for our country to finally act on sensible gun reform measures?

Columbine. Virginia Tech. Sandy Hook. Orlando. Parkland. Las Vegas. Sutherland Springs. Aurora. Buffalo. Now Uvalde, Texas, where an 18-year-old gunman slaughtered 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School on Tuesday. We are now well versed in the shorthand locations that identify a city or town where a mass murder took place.

The Gun Violence Archive tallies 212 mass shootings in 2022 alone. That does not count the daily gun violence in our cities and towns.

We would like to think we can never become numb to this madness. Yet it seems our country is paralyzed by an irrational fear of taking action to stop this plague. But what about the fear now growing in more and more of our citizens: fear of going to school, of attending services at a house of worship, fear of stepping into a grocery store or a movie theater.

Our hearts ache for the victims and the families of this massacre. And for all of those who have been touched by gun violence.

This is a uniquely American problem. Is there ever going to be a redline, an act of gun violence so heinous that lawmakers finally enact sensible gun reform measures? We would have thought we crossed that line long ago. Will this massacre, this time, be the tipping point?

Of course, sensible gun reform won’t stop all gun violence. But we need to start someplace. It is well past time to take that step forward.

We call on Congress to unite on this issue. We need sensible gun reform measures now.

B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org.