I’m writing this the day after the Apalachee High School shooting.
The first time I ran for office in 2018 was because of my fear and exasperation over nothing being done to address gun violence. My middle schooler had come home in late January talking about an active shooter drill at school where she had to climb on a shelf in a closet and sit in the dark for what she said felt like hours. I just remember getting a sick feeling in my stomach listening to her. She told me that these drills felt like teaching a would-be school shooter where they would be in an emergency.
Then a couple of weeks later, I found myself crying in front of the TV, watching students flee from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School after yet another school shooting. It hit me that six years had passed since we watched babies being killed at Sandy Hook and yet nothing had changed.
The motivation behind my political journey
I was angry and terrified and compelled to do something. I ran for office and now proudly serve as the Georgia State Representative for House District 52, which includes parts of Brookhaven, Dunwoody, and Sandy Springs.
Unfortunately, nothing has changed. In fact, it’s gotten worse since I was elected. Gun violence is now the number one killer of children in our state. Governor Kemp and his majority Republican legislature passed permitless carry in 2021. And just last Session, our Lieutenant Governor pushed to arm our teachers while doing nothing to keep guns out of the hands of people who pose a threat in our community.
I’m no less angry or scared than I was when I started this job. And I am no less determined to continue my push for common sense gun measures. But it’s exhausting year after year to beg and plead for policy changes that a majority of Georgians want to keep them safe, only to be ignored and disrespected time and time again. What’s it going to take for my Republican colleagues to prioritize the people of Georgia and pass data-driven measures to reduce gun violence in our communities?
The urgent need for change
Today, I received an email from my constituent and neighbor pleading for me to take action now because she just sent her three children back to our local elementary school. She and every other parent in Georgia today is gripped with fear as their kids walk back into their classrooms. I’ve heard from faith leaders and former and current educators who are all pleading for me to DO SOMETHING. And the most heart-wrenching are the stories I’m hearing about children being too terrified to go to school. We are failing Georgia’s children.
LISTEN: Rep. Shea Roberts was a guest on The AJC’s Politically Georgia podcast on Sept. 5.
Every January at the start of the legislative session, my Democratic colleagues and I file bills to require safe storage of guns and ammunition, universal background checks, red flag procedures, guns to be withheld from convicted domestic abusers, and many others. Our Republican counterparts, who control the committees and agenda, refuse to even allow the bills to be heard in committee because frankly, they’re afraid of or can’t be bothered by Georgians who are demanding we do something to address gun safety in our community. This past session, they would not even pass a $300 tax rebate to encourage folks to purchase safe gun storage products.
We hold press conferences and rallies. We march. Moms show up at the Capitol every year in their red t-shirts to talk to their legislators on the rope line at the Capitol, and many are treated as an inconvenience. It’s deflating and demoralizing for them and us.
Meanwhile, our local Atlanta emergency room doctors are tracking how many 0-17-year-olds are presenting with gunshot wounds. To date this year, it has literally equated to one child every day!
The safety of our communities, especially our children, should be a non-partisan priority for every elected leader. Data clearly shows that states with lax gun laws have a higher rate of gun violence. Georgia has some of the most lax laws. We must do more to protect our children while upholding responsible gun ownership.
I am heartbroken that we lost beautiful children and teachers in Winder, and I will continue to pray for the victims and their loved ones. But people across this state are sick and tired of hollow thoughts with no action.
The time to act is now
It’s time for Governor Kemp to call a Special Session for the express purpose of passing common sense gun safety laws to help prevent tragedies like those at Apalachee High School and the Midtown doctor’s office. Georgians don’t want to wait until January’s session. They want to see us do something now before the complacency sets back in.
While the time to act was before this tragedy, the second best time is now. Enough is enough!