What Comes After “Thoughts and Prayers”?

Tori Leto
Apr 17
4 min read

We live in a country where mass shootings barely make the front page anymore. Where school lockdowns are rehearsed more often than fire drills. Where “thoughts and prayers” have become the nation’s default response to unspeakable tragedy.

But let’s be clear—thoughts and prayers are not policy. And they are not protection.

It’s time to move beyond empty condolences and into real, tangible action. If we want to save lives and protect communities, we need to stop asking if something should be done and start asking how we fix a broken system that has normalized daily violence.

The first major national march for gun reform, March for Our Lives, was held on March 24, 2018, organized by survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida. Tragically, some of those same survivors—now students at Florida State University—are experiencing the horror of a second school shooting, underscoring just how little has changed.

The Reality We Refuse to Face

America doesn’t have more violent people than other countries. We have more guns.

More than 400 million civilian-owned firearms are circulating in the U.S.—more guns than people. And yet, lawmakers continue to treat this uniquely American epidemic like it's an unsolvable mystery. But it isn’t. We know what works. Other countries have done it. Even some U.S. states have done it.

What we’re missing isn’t knowledge. It’s political courage.

Common Excuses, Real Responses

“It’s not a gun issue, it’s a mental health issue.”

Mental illness is a global issue—but America is the only country with this level of gun violence. Studies from the American Psychological Association and the FBI show that people with mental illness are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators. This excuse shifts the blame without offering solutions—and stigmatizes people who need support.

“Guns don’t kill people. People kill people.”

Sure. But guns make it a lot easier to kill a lot of people, very quickly. That’s why we regulate other tools—like cars—with licenses, insurance, registration, and training. Why shouldn’t the same logic apply to weapons designed to kill?

“The Second Amendment protects my right to bear arms.”

It also includes the words “well regulated.” Even the conservative Supreme Court has ruled that the Second Amendment allows for reasonable restrictions. Rights come with responsibilities. Guns should too.

Secure Firearm Storage Laws

Make it illegal to leave firearms accessible to unauthorized users, particularly children and household members not legally allowed to carry.
Hold gun owners criminally responsible if their unsecured weapon is used in a crime.

2. Mandatory Waiting Periods

Extend the waiting period for all gun purchases to 7–10 days, including rifles and shotguns.
Waiting periods have been shown to reduce impulsive acts of violence and suicide.

3. Comprehensive Permit Requirements

Reinstate mandatory permits for concealed carry that include:

Live-fire training
Mental health screenings
Background checks and regular renewals

No individual should be allowed to carry a firearm without demonstrating safe and responsible use.

4. Ban Assault-Style Weapons

These firearms are designed for military use, not civilian settings like schools or grocery stores.
Reinstate the federal assault weapons ban and implement limits on magazine capacity.

5. Universal Background Checks

Close loopholes that allow private sales and gun show purchases without background checks.
Require background checks for every gun sale—without exception.

6. Red Flag Laws

Allow family members or law enforcement to petition courts for the temporary removal of firearms from individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others.
These laws have already proven effective in preventing suicides and mass shootings in multiple states.

7. Gun Ownership as a Licensed Responsibility

Treat firearms like automobiles: require licenses, mandatory renewals, proof of safety education, and responsible use.

Facts That Cannot Be Ignored

States with stricter gun laws consistently report fewer gun deaths.
Countries that have implemented broad gun reform—such as Australia and the United Kingdom—have seen dramatic decreases in mass shootings.
Access to a gun significantly increases the risk of death by suicide, domestic violence, and accidental discharge.
The overwhelming majority of mass shooters in the United States are white, male, and U.S. citizens. This is a gun access issue, not an immigration issue.

This Isn’t Hopeless—But It Is Urgent

Gun violence isn’t an unstoppable force of nature. It’s the result of policy choices. Of legislative negligence. Of politicians prioritizing NRA money over public safety.

We don’t need more thoughts and prayers. We need:

Elected leaders with the courage to act
Voters who demand accountability
Communities who refuse to normalize violence

Every life lost to gun violence is a policy failure. So the question is: How many more are we willing to lose before we act?

Call to Action

Support organizations pushing for gun reform: Everytown, March for Our Lives, Brady
Contact your legislators—local, state, and federal—and demand action
Vote in every election. Local laws matter too.