This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Just once, I would like to not be disappointed by our state's representation in Congress. Sadly, that is something I have come to accept as a Utah standard.
June marked another massive loss of life due to gun violence in America and when an opportunity for change was presented, our leaders did nothing. To our congressional members who may have forgotten: You are supposed to be representatives for your state and all of its people. You are supposed to be fighting for what is in the best interest for everyone, not simply for your own ideals or what you have been paid to support.
We are the United States for a reason. Now more than ever, we need bipartisanship, cooperation and we need common sense gun legislation. The American people have been demanding action for years and instead we get petty, back-and-forth "we are right and they are wrong" shut downs of every proposal that can make even a small difference in the incredibly fractured relationship between America and firearms.
Right now you are failing. Failing to represent, failing to act and failing to prevent yet another senseless tragedy. Get the NRA out of your pockets and do your jobs.
Emily O'Connor
Salt Lake City