Miscellaneous
Kristin Bowen is the leader of Columbia’s local Moms Demand Action group. Moms Demand Action is a locally-funded group that focuses on gun safety with chapters across the United States. Bowen started the Columbia organization in 2015 because she said the issue of gun violence, like many parents, affected her emotionally. “My youngest son is the same age as the children who were in the Sandy Hook classroom,” Bowen said. “And it just felt like, since 2012, and when that happened, there were so many high profile, mass tragic shootings. And I couldn't stand by anymore and look at my kids in the eyes and say I was okay with what was happening.” Bowen began the local group on her own. Columbia Moms Demand Action has grown since, with over a dozen people in leadership positions. The association spends time in Jefferson City working with lawmakers to fight for sensible gun reform. “We're always really clear to say, we're not anti-gun, we are anti-gun violence,” Bowen clarified. “And we are