Dear Friends:

How far we've come since the launch of Moms Against Guns in 2007! And on this occasion of celebrating mothers everywhere, I want to take time to share a special thank you for all that you have done to support and advance our cause.

You have been there to buoy us every step of the way-and we have taken many important steps, and together have reached significant milestones [23K PDF] in our journey toward more effective laws to protect our children from the violence caused by illegal guns.

What is still alarming—as taxpaying, voting citizens—is the fact that elected officials are not voting on behalf of the people they represent. Recent polls show that 96 percent of Pennsylvanians said they would want a law that requires lost or stolen handguns to be reported to police. Let's elect those who understand 96 percent means that we are an overwhelming majority!

Mother's Day is a proud reminder of how hard yesterday's women fought to secure the vote for us—a proud reminder of the power we possess as women. We carry and bear children. We're the nurturers and often the wage-earners. We're leaders in government. We even go to war. So now that we do have the vote let's always use it with care, selectivity and determination. Let's always elect those who hear us.

Though Mother's Day 2009 comes at one of the most difficult times for our country…we still have wealth in the love of family and friends. Let' take care of them—of each other—and, as our Governor pleaded when challenged on passing legislation that would harness the illegal handgun and assault weapon traffic, "Do the right thing!"

Mother's Day is a day to celebrate not only mothers but also our collective children. I believe that our children are our best creation. They are our strength and our greatest hope for the future-and I believe, as I once read, that one of the core things we're put on this earth to do is to help them grow, confident, compassionate, educated and secure. Pennsylvania's children belong to all of us. We must protect them.

Mother's Day is also a time to recognize a special mom, Edwina Grant, who represents all of the courageous women who manage to productively go on with life after tragedy. Edwina lost her teenage son to senseless hand gun fire two-and-a-half years ago and her husband six months later to a broken heart. Today, she works in the Project H.O.M.E. community passionately advocating for better gun control.

We also celebrate and honor a man of great integrity and valor—PA State Representative David Levdansky (Allegheny and Washington Counties)—a gun owner and hunter himself, who works diligently for the passage of common sense gun laws. He stands up and does the right thing as he continues to prevent the heartbreak that mothers like Edwina experience every day.

Though the road to success is hard fought, I truly believe that in the end we will prevail.

Meanwhile best wishes for a happy, healthy and safe Mother's Day—and a great big hug.

Lynne Honickman
Founder
Moms Against Guns


See our videos on the Moms Against Guns YouTube Channel