For generations, fire drills and tornado drills were a common activity for schoolchildren, a brief reprieve from the daily routine, and an opportunity to remind them what to do in case a natural or unexpected disaster hit their school. For a new generation of children, another type of drill – the active shooter drill – has become just as commonplace.

Recent mass shootings in California, Texas and right here in Dayton have shocked those communities and the entire country. The impact of the violence on the affected families, friends, communities and the rest of us will linger far longer than the current news cycle.

This is not OK.

We know the mental and physical toll toxic stress has on the human brain. The trauma endured by children when they experience or see violence on a regular basis actually re-wires their brains in a way that affects their ability to succeed in school and develop healthy emotional relationships. At Beech Acres Parenting Center we are gravely concerned about the long term effects of this trauma as these children become adults.

That’s why we stand #DaytonStrong with our neighbors in Dayton, Ohio as they grieve and heal from their recent tragedy. We also support Susan Dreyfus’ statement and the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities’ call to action to end gun violence in the United States of America.

Common sense gun regulations are a start to reversing the negative course of our society and restoring a sense of safety and security to our children’s lives. Eliminating continued exposure to traumatic experiences can help reduce the incidents of stress-related diseases including mental illness, depression, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and suicide.

The time to act for our children is now. 

We encourage you to get involved by calling or emailing you senators to tell them to ask for a vote on H.R. 8, The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 and H.R. 1112, The Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019. Both require stronger background checks, a measure which most Americans support. You can also ask them to revisit the banning of assault weapons.

Thank you for your continued support of our mission, Inspiring and equipping today’s parents, families and communities to raise capable, caring, contributing children.