The deepest sympathies of the AFTA community go out to all those affected by the shooting that resulted in the deaths of 13 people on Wednesday in Thousand Oaks, CA.

We recognize that our thoughts and prayers are not enough.

In a previously posted position on gun violence, we have condemned legislators that neglect the issue of gun violence and devalue mental health services. Such abdication enables ever-more frequent acts of violence such as this one to take lives, destroy families, devastate communities and indelibly impact our national identity.

See here for more information on gun violence as a public health issue
See here for research on gun violence in America
See here for more information on the potential impact of gun legislation

Sarah Berland, Family Policy Human Rights Chair
Victoria C. Dickerson, AFTA President