Ian Palmquist stood with Everytown at the Supreme Court to reject the NRA’s attempt to deprive us of the right to enact measures to protect ourselves from gun violence. Here’s an excerpt from his speech:

The LGBTQ community knows gun violence too well.

We know gun violence in the massacre at Pulse in Orlando, where 49 lives were lost, bringing violence and death to a place where people went to feel safe.

We know gun violence in the epidemic of murders of trans women, especially trans women of color.

We know gun violence in the rising number of hate crimes against LGBTQ people.

We know gun violence in the loss of folks in our community to suicide, at rates far beyond that national average.

We know gun violence in our schools, where sexual and gender minority students are more likely to be threatened with a firearm.

And, we know we need sensible regulations that protect our communities from violence. Today we need the Supreme Court to stand up to the NRA.

The NRA wants to use this case to challenge and roll back hundreds of gun safety laws across the country. Every gun law is at risk, even measures that are overwhelmingly supported by the American people.

For the LGBTQ community and all our communities, the justices must not endanger public safety by adopting a radical new interpretation of the Second Amendment.

Is is wrong, it is inconsistent with the Constitution, and it is dangerous, and it would mean even more guns in public spaces.

Thank you.