Sensible Gun Legislation Needed Now

To the Editor: 
I heard Feb. 16 House Speaker Paul Ryan say, “This is not the time to jump to some conclusion not knowing the full facts.” This is the response every time there is a mass shooting in America. 
Members of Congress refuse to discuss sensible gun legislation. They accuse people advocating for such legislation of trying to politicize the issue at a time of national grieving.
Now is the time. Enough is enough.
We need sensible gun legislation now. We need to ban military-style assault weapons, bump stocks, and high capacity magazines now. Then move onto passing legislation for universal background checks for all gun sales. A large percentage of Americans support universal background checks.
The deep sadness and gravity of the latest mass shooting in Florida are compounded by the feeling that nothing will be done. We can change that!
Call, write, and tweet Congress, and tell them to support the bill, titled the Assault Weapons Ban of 2017, introduced by Sen. Diane Feinstein, and co-sponsored by Sens. Cory Booker and Robert Menendez.
Then in 2018, commit to vote for candidates who do not take money from the National Rifle Association (NRA). Vote for those not endorsed by or given an A rating by this organization.
Currently, Leonard Lance, Tom MacArthur, and Frank LoBiondo, all Republican, have an A rating with the NRA. LoBiondo has said he is retiring, however, the Democrat put up by the powers that be in southern New Jersey, Jeff Van Drew also has an A rating with the NRA. His voting record on progressive initiatives as a whole is awful.
Each of these candidates has viable, progressive Democrats running against them. Vote them in!