Shooting survivor David Hogg: Paul Ryan, make background checks your legacy
AP/Rich Schultz
David Hogg, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting survivor and gun control activist, is rallying people on Twitter to contact Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and demand the House vote on universal background checks.
Tweet your messege to @SpeakerRyan with #MyMessaegeToSpeakerRyan so our public servants can #AllowTheVote on expansive universal background checks. pic.twitter.com/8DL8TNxKvZ
— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) April 11, 2018
“Tweet your message to Speaker [Paul Ryan] … so our public servants can allow the vote on expansive universal background checks,” Hogg implored on Twitter. In a video attached to the tweet, Hogg addressed Speaker Ryan directly: “I would really love if you actually allowed a vote on the House floor for universal background checks,” Hogg said. “Over 90 percent of Americans support them, and it can help save some lives. Don’t even bother responding to this, just do it,” he added.
Ryan, the leader of the Republican Party in the lower house of Congress, announced on Wednesday that he would be stepping down from his congressional seat come January. Ryan is yet to respond to Hogg, and the additional messages he has received as of Wednesday evening. Indeed, upon hearing of the Speaker's departure, Hogg jumped on the opportunity to move Ryan to bring a vote.
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Hogg’s claim that 90 percent of American support universal background checks checks out, according to Politifact. Indeed, even 74 percent of NRA members support “requiring background checks for all gun sales,” as Politifact noted.
Leaping on the hashtag Hogg initiated, “#MyMessageToSpeakerRyan,” many activists responded in kind, including Anderson Pleasants, a fellow high school student and activist from Buffalo, New York.
#MyMessageToSpeakerRyan I may have been born nonverbal, but I, along with a majority of America, still have a voice demanding our leaders #Allowthevote on universal background checks and sensible gun reform. The time is now. Stand up. Listen to the people. .@SpeakerRyan pic.twitter.com/h0gWjbj328
— Anderson “Andy” Pleasants (@pleasantandy) April 11, 2018
“Hello, my name is Anderson Pleasants, I’m an 18 year old high school student with a message for Speaker Paul Ryan,” Pleasants spoke and signed. “I may not have an actual voice that’s easy to understand, but I do have a voice… I have a voice just like the 83% of Americans who support mandatory waiting periods after gun purchases… I have a voice just like the 67% of Americans who support a nationwide ban on assault weapons,” Pleasants implored Ryan.
Others chimed in too.
Ricky Dixon should be alive.
The inaction of our “leaders” has perpetuated violence... we demand change.#NorthwesternWalkout #AllowTheVote https://t.co/h74dksZzPX
— Matt Deitsch (@MattxRed) April 11, 2018
Dear @SpeakerRyan: please #AllowTheVote on expansive universal background checks. #MyMessaegeToSpeakerRyan
— Michael Hitchcock (@hitchmichael) April 12, 2018
. @SpeakerRyan, now I think it’s time you put the American people first. 90% of Americans support a universal background check. How about you #AllowTheVote?
— Sofie Whitney (@sofiewhitney) April 11, 2018
Regarding his impending departure, Ryan tweeted earlier that he is a “Wisconsin guy” who came to Washington to “make a difference.” If Ryan brought a background check bill to vote, it would certainly accomplish that goal.
