In Memory of Eric - Resolve to Save a Life

In Memory of Eric

www.momsagainstguns.org

We’re sharing a letter from a mom and her family who recently lost their son in a tragic gun violence incident. Their letter was just published in the Bucks County Courier Times.

Please send this letter to as many people as you know and ask them to visit our web site and sign a petition to our state reps and senators the demands better gun laws.

In this New Year 2008 - please help us change handgun laws in Pennsylvania. We need new gun laws – now!

In Memory of Eric - resolve to save a life (Bucks County Courier Times, 1/13/08)

New Years is the time for annual resolutions. The standards for these resolutions encompass weight loss plans, exercise routines and plans for quality time with loved ones. If however, you spend a minute looking back at 2007 to try to develop a meaningful resolution, please look at the past year in Philadelphia. Just under 400 families lost a loved one to gun violence and murder, over 125 under the age of 25, unfortunately that statistic included our family.

Sadly, our family lost a son who was a victim of a gun murder death this past year. Eric was a 20 year old college student on the right track, going to school, working and enjoying his friends. His was not a typical gun death, barely news worthy, but devastating to our family just the same. Perhaps if the gun laws had licensing and education requirements, his death may have been prevented. Our wish for the New Year is to help others avoid such a senseless death.

Most people watch the news and feel badly and sad, but mostly feel futile to enact change. But what if you could, what a New Years resolution that would be. Sometimes the kindest acts are just for the benefit of one person. If you help with the fight for better gun laws, that action or the attention you give it could save one life, making it a very worthwhile effort.

My son was well liked and we received hundreds of letters of condolences. We ask that you expend the same thoughtfulness and effort you gave us, by signing the petition for better gun laws available on www.momsagainstguns.org .

Moms Against Guns is a fairly new organization founded by Philadelphia resident and philanthropist, Lynne Honickman. Frustrated by the political rhetoric and lack of change, Ms. Honickman has formed this group hoping to bring individual voices together for a stronger united front calling for changes to the current gun laws.

You will see on the website they have the support of Lynne Abraham, Lisa Nutter and others. All agree the safety of our children must come before anything else. Moms Against Guns has a goal of 50,000 signatures to be sent to our legislators, forcing this very political issue out front. It is too hard to fight the gun lobbyists alone; together each of our signatures will count. One death, let alone the many that have occurred are too many.

So for yourself, your children and maybe for the memory of our son Eric or someone else you knew who was lost this past year, please start with this one accomplishment and make a difference.

With our wishes for a safer more peaceful year,

Lisa and Robert Aberman and family