Rocio Villalobos 
EDINBURG – “We want to make sure that we bring up the norm, make sure we bring up the changes we need in our local level of government and also in the national level of government.”
Since 2008, Moms Demand Action has been fighting for safety measures to protect people from gun violence. Over the weekend, the local chapter hosted a panel for the community in Weslaco.
The discussion aims to bring awareness to how gun violence affects each and every one of us.
Moms Demand Action is not against gun ownership. Its “Be Smart” campaign focuses on education and awareness about child gun deaths and responsible gun storage.
“It’s just about responsible gun ownership, speaking out if you see something that brings concern, locking a gun,” said Rebecca Obregon, Moms Demand Action events manager. “Many of us do own guns, but we want to make sure that it becomes the norm. We want to make sure we bring it up in conversation.”
Martha Flores-Rangel’s daughter was murdered over six years ago, and the killers are still on the loose. After this experience, she decided to help others going through the same.
“Advocating not only for my daughter, Julissa, but all the other people whose loved ones were murdered,” she said. “We want to bring awareness that they’re not alone.”
Flores-Rangel adds she’s happy that organizations like Moms Demand Action are growing, as it helps bring about change.
“We all need to unite together,” she said. “If we unite as one for all, we can make a difference.”
The organizers are also calling on people to use their voting rights to help enact common-sense gun laws.
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