Advocacy Day 2025

Yesterday, I attended Advocacy Day, an annual event for volunteers with Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action, and citizens to advocate, learn, and collaborate with legislators about gun safety laws. 

Activists kicked off the day with a “Never Stop Rally” at the Bell Tower on Capitol Square. Volunteers, legislators, survivors, and those who have lost loved ones to gun violence took turns speaking, chanting, and preparing for the day ahead.  Unfortunately, I was not in attendance for the rally, but watching recap videos from home allowed me to feel just how passionate the group was about fighting for lifesaving legislation and, ultimately, a country that is not plagued by gun violence.

The amount of young adults participating was just as inspiring as it was horrifying. Students are one of the most prominent groups affected by gun violence, with guns being the leading cause of death for American children and teens. In all of my activism experience, gun violence protests are where I see the largest numbers of young protesters. While it is wonderful to see other youth activists, it is beyond unfortunate that gun violence is our common denominator. (Side note: If you are a student who is passionate about ending gun violence, I recommend checking out Students Demand Action, a youth activism group for gun sense in America.)

After the rally, there was a series of meetings to listen and collaborate with legislators about Virginia’s gun safety priorities and proposed gun safety laws. A few notable priorities, per the Moms Demand Action team, are:

• Prohibiting assault weapons and ghost guns,
• Enhanced Background Checks
• Prohibiting firearms in “sensitive places,” like hospitals and universities 
• Stronger secure storage laws
• Enhancing measures to keep firearms from those who should not have them, including perpetrators of hate crimes and domestic violence
• For a more in-depth list of Moms Demand Actions’ gun safety priorities in Virginia, you can click here.

After the meeting concluded, Delegate Rozia Henson invited me to his office to speak with him about firearm safety in Virginia. I am extremely grateful to have had this opportunity and to know that our lawmakers care about citizens’ voices, especially in matters as serious as gun violence prevention. Delegate Henson was even so kind as to write a letter to my school, requesting that my absence for Advocacy Day be excused in which he remarked he, “Was thoroughly impressed by Ms. Jones’ [my] advocacy and communication skills, discussing in nuanced detail how and why the Virginia General Assembly may better serve Virginians by improving firearm safety regulations.”

The opportunity to speak with someone as influential as Delegate Henson and the kind words he had to say about me is something I will forever carry with me on my activism journey. Moreover, legislators like him are what motivate me and give me hope for the future generation of changemakers. 

Virginia Advocacy Day 2025 was one for the books! From getting to advocate for gun safety legislation in my community, working with other Moms and Students Demand Action activists, hearing the powerful words of Delegates Henson, Dr. Jones, Clark, and Moms Demand Action Executive Director Angela Ferrell-Zabala, to getting to personally speak with Delegate Henson, the day was a SUCCESS! 

I just want to give one last thank you to Moms Demand Action for making Advocacy Day happen, and for their continued support in advocating for gun sense in America. 

-Lyn Jones