By Susan Cochran, Director and Action Co-Chair

As the nation is reeling from a recent string of mass shootings stretching from New York to Texas to Oklahoma, and gun violence continues, many of us are asking what can be done about gun violence. The League of Women Voters has been working for sensible gun safety laws for over 30 years. LWVUS CEO, Virginia Case Solomon, decried the Uvalde tragedy and declared, “We will not be silent.” The League’s position on gun ownership is clear:

The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that the proliferation of handguns and semi-automatic assault weapons in the United States is a major health and safety threat to its citizens. The League supports strong federal measures to limit the accessibility and regulate the ownership of these weapons by private citizens.

LWVAAC has a robust Voter Services program. On July 4th League volunteers traditionally celebrate independence and democracy by registering newly naturalized U.S. citizens to vote. In a patriotic ceremony on the grounds of the historic William Paca house in Annapolis, ceremony participants take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America, administered by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service, Baltimore, and witnessed by family, friends, and the public of all ages. The new citizens on this July 4th came to the USA from 12 countries, including  El Salvador, Finland, Israel, Jamaica, Nigeria, the Philippines, and United Kingdom. The event, held in a tent fitting the occasion and overlooking the Paca House formal gardens, is orchestrated by Historic Annapolis. (photos by: K. Larrabee)