Two weeks ago, the unthinkable happened — again. Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were gunned down in their home. She was a mother, a friend, a neighbor. She was doing everything right. Now, she’s gone. Death threats to public servants like me are all too common. And as someone who has lost a friend to gun violence, I know the devastation this kind of horrific act of violence leaves behind. It is not abstract. It is personal — and it is preventable.

Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teens in America. Before a play date, parents ask if firearms are safely locked up. Every time we drop our kids at school, we hope they come home. Guns are used to carry out an increasing number of acts of political violence. Public servants, like Rep. Hortman and Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman, are targeted not just for their work, but for simply stepping forward to serve. No one should fear being gunned down for participating in public life, or for learning in a classroom, going grocery shopping, or stepping into a house of worship.

It doesn’t have to be this way — and we already know what works. States have the power to save lives, and the data backs it up. Just last week, JAMA Pediatrics published a study showing that children are far less likely to die from gun violence in states with stronger gun laws. States like Washington and Minnesota have made important progress by strengthening gun laws. As study author Dr. Jeremy Faust put it, policies like waiting periods, safety training and background checks all help stop children from being killed: “These are children who should be alive … These are not deaths that should have occurred. They are preventable.”

That’s why this year, Washington took a major step forward by passing a permit-to-purchase law, a bill I sponsored to ensure guns don’t end up in the wrong hands. It’s a data-driven, commonsense approach that will save lives.

But progress in a few states isn’t enough. More than 30 states still don’t have a permit-to-purchase law — a proven, constitutional policy that reduces gun homicides and protects communities. No state is immune to the threat of gun violence. If we want to stop more tragedies, we need more states to follow the evidence — and take action now.

Permit-to-purchase laws work. When Connecticut implemented one, gun homicides dropped by 28%. When Missouri repealed theirs, gun deaths spiked by 25%. In Washington, our new law requires individuals to complete a certified safety course with live-fire training, undergo a comprehensive background check and be fingerprinted before buying a gun. These are not burdens — they are basic protections that will mean more children are alive here in Washington.

I ran for office because I’ve lived the consequences of inaction. In 2011, my boss, U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, was shot in the head at a community event in Tucson, Ariz. Six people were killed, including my friend and colleague Gabe Zimmerman. That day changed my life — and shaped my mission. It’s why I helped launch Legislators for Safer Communities, a growing nonpartisan network of nearly 200 state lawmakers from all 50 states working to end gun violence. SAFER provides the tools, research and community for state legislators to act boldly.

In June, we honor the lives of people affected by gun violence. I’ve heard plenty about thoughts and prayers. That’s why I’m calling on my fellow legislators on both sides of the aisle to honor Melissa Hortman’s life with policy and persistence. Permit-to-purchase laws are one of the most effective tools we have to reduce gun violence. State lawmakers have the power to change the course of this crisis. We can choose courage over complacency. We can build a future where every child, in every family, in every ZIP code, lives free from the fear of gunfire.