Some time ago, on this (the Personal Safety Nets) blog, I wrote that good relationships of cooperation and respect within neighborhoods would go farther toward increasing our security in a crisis moment than other forms of "self protection". (one man had suggested that a gun would be the best, and I begged to differ) -- This video gives each of us a way to speak up in support of safer gun control rules under which mental health records would be entered in to the federal background check system that would prevent some of the senseless murders that take place each year. Read on & listen, then pass it on if you agree --

"Four years ago this week, my younger sister Reema was murdered during her freshman year at Virginia Tech.

Reema was a star student with a 4.0 GPA. She loved being with friends and family and spent her free time with different groups on campus including the Contemporary Dance Ensemble.

Four years have passed since she was murdered, and sadly, the laws that allowed it to happen haven’t changed much.

The fact remains that Reema’s killer never should have been able to buy a gun. The federal background check system should have prevented him from getting his hands on one, but his mental health records hadn’t been entered into the database. So, like many other dangerous people, my sister’s killer was able to slip through a flaw in our gun laws, pass two background checks, and buy two guns which he later used to kill my sister and 31 other innocent students and faculty members.

The saddest part is that the solution to this problem isn’t complicated. There’s already common-sense legislation in the U.S. Senate to Fix Gun Checks by closing loopholes in the system and requiring background checks for all gun purchases.

I’ve been driving across the country since February to raise awareness of this legislation and the 34 people -- the equivalent of the Virginia Tech Massacre -- who are murdered with guns every day in America.

Our National Drive to Fix Gun Checks has been to dozens of states, and it’s deeply moving to see how many people have come out to participate in our events. Not just gun violence survivors and family members, but also elected officials and ordinary people who support our effort. Together, we’re calling on our leaders in Washington to fix our flawed national background check system.

I recently talked to survivors of the violent tragedy in Tucson, Arizona, and their pain is so similar to what my family has been dealing with for the past four years.

It’s clear to me that the way I can send a real message to our leaders is to continue growing support to Fix Gun Checks. Every person who signs our petition and every supporter who shows up at an event brings us closer to closing the loopholes that let dangerous people get guns.

You can strengthen our movement by taking a minute to watch this brief video about the National Drive to Fix Gun Checks and sharing it with your friends and family."

Thank you for your support,
Omar

P.S. – You can get updates on the National Drive to Fix Gun Checks by following us on Facebook.