As my time in office comes to a close, I have been reflecting on the many challenges that continue to face our community and nation. Chief among them is the need to address gun violence.
Recently I was honored to speak at a film screening hosted by the Coalition Against Gun Violence and was pleased to be joined by congressional candidate Salud Carbajal. Gun issues are often a topic that candidates shy away from on the campaign trail, but not Salud. That's because he understands that our country is facing an epidemic — one that has devastated communities in every state — including our own Isla Vista.
Two-and-a-half years after our community came together in the wake of the shooting in I.V. to declare “Not One More” life should be lost to gun violence, the sadness we felt at the time has turned into a deep frustration. A frustration that little has been done at the federal level to prevent future tragedies.