The February 14 tragedy at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida has fired up a national debate on gun control and Second Amendment issues as never before.

Students who survived the mass shooting have taken the lead in finally shaking up elective officials to get down to business on seeking solutions to gun violence that is more rampant in the United States than anywhere else on the planet.

Those of us inhabiting the peaceful shores of Lake Chapala are not preoccupied about the possibility of getting blown away in a school room, a movie theater, shopping mall or at a music concert. But our hearts are deeply moved by the all too common deadly events going on north of the border.

In the wake of the Parkland slaughter, Chapala resident Eileen Collard has been way too busy to simply lament and wring her hands. As a long-time activist for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, she spends long hours on the horn every day contacting people who are clamoring to volunteer with the advocacy group.

“More than 115,000 people have signed up since Parkland. They are fed up fearing for the safety of their children and grandchildren. I’m working through a waiting list of 250 return calls.”

Eileen defines her role as a cheerleader to help keep like-minded people from losing hope.

“We’re not going to win our battle tomorrow, but we’re not giving up.”

It’s not just about promoting a safe environment in school settings. It’s not about rewriting the Second Amendment. The movement is aimed at reducing the horrifying statistics of 30,000 gun deaths that occur every year. She points out that fatal shootings of on-duty police officers, victims of domestic violence or suicides are almost 50 percent lower in states where strict controls are in place.

The overarching goal of Moms Demand Action is to achieve a unilateral nationwide requirement for criminal background checks to go with all guns sales. At present the screenings are only applied to federally licensed gun dealers.

An immediate objective is to prevent passage of the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 currently under consideration in the U.S. Senate. The bill is intended to amend the federal criminal code to allow individuals licensed to carry a concealed weapon in one state to keep the privilege in other states.

Eileen urges all U.S. citizens to call their Senators not once, but often to express opposition to the measure. “The calls are free. Keep your measure short and to the point. Simply state your name and US zip code and say ‘I am calling to ask Senator (name) to oppose the concealed carry reciprocity act.’ And thank him for being on our side.”

She believes that sensible gun control in the United States will help keep weapons out of the hands of organized crime groups in Mexico.