Voters should be wary of politicians who dodge, deflect, and spin when confronted with questions about gun violence. Whether you have been a direct victim of gun violence, the ripples of trauma and fear wash over us all.

When was the last time you dropped your kids off at school, bought groceries, sat in a movie theater, or attended a concert without a passing thought about being in an active shooter situation? Technological advances, like 3D printing of guns and accessories have intensified the violence. Politicians who fail to acknowledge the threat and are unable to speak clearly about the solutions to reducing gun violence, are not equipped to meet the moment.

Thankfully, we have two brave advocates for gun safety on November’s ballot. Candidate for state representative, Nick Menapace, and candidate for state Senate, Martha Marx, have both earned the Gun Sense Candidate distinction by Moms Demand Action, a national grassroots gun safety movement, for their commitment to governing with gun sense in mind. It is time to de-escalate the fear and division that obstructs practical solutions from preventing the deaths of over 40,000 people from guns each year in our country.

Christine Stahl

Niantic