Stronger gun laws could have saved my son. Tennessee lawmakers must act. | Opinion

It’s been five years and four months since my son, Akilah, was shot and murdered at a Waffle House in Antioch, Tennessee.

Akilah was a creative, beautiful soul with boundless love for his friends and family. But most of all, he had a unique zest for life. He wanted to live. His music was a testament to the person he was - writing rap songs about positivity, love, and non-violence. He even wrote the lyrics, “forget about making a hashtag, let’s throw the guns in a trash bag.”

That day, feelings of rage made a permanent home inside me and my family.

It’s been four months since three kids and three adults were shot and killed at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee. That day, my youngest son, Aldane, went into lockdown at his high school close by, while the same rage took hold of all too many more parents, siblings, neighbors, and friends.

It’s been two months since my other son, Abede, who held his dying brother Akilah while he bled out at the Waffle House, was shot in the back of the head. Abede survived, but our lives only changed further.

My daughter, Amber, fled a shooting at a music venue following a concert. The trauma of losing her brother, surviving a shooting, and almost losing her other brother is unfathomable. She is so strong and determined to help others, but carries immense pain and grief every day.

So many precious lives taken or forever changed – over and over…and over again. All because of weak gun laws and easy access to guns for people who are a danger to themselves or others.

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Why I will be at the state Capitol on Aug. 21

In the past five years, I have learned more than I ever should have about the devastating pervasiveness of gun violence in our country. I’ve studied the data and looked at the research, and it is no secret that gun violence is not treated like the public health crisis it is.

On Aug. 21, Tennessee lawmakers will meet for a special session on public safety with a chance to pass lifesaving legislation, including an extreme risk law that could save countless lives.

I will once again be at the Capitol steps in Nashville wielding my voice to demand change. I don’t like speaking in public, but when you’re left to deal with gaping pain and a broken system, this is the only way forward.

Where will you be at this pivotal moment for our state?

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We must end the vicious cycle

Every day in America, 120 people are shot and killed, hundreds of others are shot and wounded, and countless others are impacted by acts of gun violence. But I know first-hand that behind every statistic are stories of real parents, loved ones, and friends. That’s 120 Akilahs being shot and killed, hundreds of Abedes being shot and wounded, and countless other children like Aldane and families like mine and those impacted by the shooting at the Covenant school who have been sentenced to lifelong feelings of pain, confusion, and rage.

Our state has one of the worst gun violence problems in the U.S. -Tennessee currently has the 12th highest rate of gun deaths in the United States.

In an average year, 1,385 people are killed by guns in Tennessee, with a 52% increase from 2012 to 2021, compared to a 39% increase nationwide.

The shooting this past April at Covenant School only re-emphasizes that this vicious cycle of gut-wrenching tragedy, followed by a temporary call for change met with no action, has yet to be broken. Lawmakers, now it’s time for you to meet us where we are and protect our children.

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Survivors and advocates keeping pushing

I’ve chosen to dedicate my life to doing whatever I can to prevent another family from suffering the way my family has suffered. Part of that dedication is showing up time and time again when our lawmakers fail us.

The man who murdered Akilah was prohibited from possessing guns in his home state of Illinois, but after moving to Tennessee, he was legally allowed to be in possession of those guns because, in our state, you are not required to have a permit or firearm owners identification card to possess a gun.

The person who murdered three kids and three adults at The Covenant School showed clear warning signs but had access to firearms, nonetheless.

Tennessee does not currently have an extreme risk law, which would empower loved ones or law enforcement to seek intervention to prevent someone from accessing firearms if they display warning signs.

I am tired and weary, but still full of fury and purpose. Somehow, somewhere, so many other survivors across Tennessee and I have found a way to keep going, pushing, and advocating. I will never stop fighting for my children. And lawmakers, it’s time to start fighting for your constituents. It’s what you’re elected to do.

Shaundelle Brooks is the president and co-founder of The AKILAH Dasilva Foundation. Her son Akilah Dasilva was murdered in the mass shooting at the Waffle House in Antioch, Tennessee in 2018 and she became a national dedicated advocate for gun violence prevention, focusing on prohibiting people with dangerous histories from obtaining guns and the dangers of assault weapons.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Stronger gun laws may have saved my son: Tennessee lawmakers must act