People magazine issues gun violence ‘call to action’

NEW YORK — In the aftermath of the Oregon school shooting, People magazine did something it always does: It covered the story at length and wrote about each victim. But the magazine also did something it hasn’t done before.

It issued a “call to action,” asking readers to contact their representatives in Congress and find out what they’re doing about gun violence. It printed the names and phone numbers of all 535 voting members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

“Ask your representatives about gun violence in America, and let them know what you think,” says the accompanying message, which appears in the issue on newsstands Wednesday, and was posted on People.com.

Jess Cagle, People’s editorial director, said reaction so far has been “generally supportive.” But he added that some people criticized the magazine for taking a political stand — which, he said, editors took pains not to do.

“All we’re saying is, ‘Hold your representatives’ feet to the fire,’ ” Cagle said. ” ‘Let them know what you’re thinking.’ That’s all. But everyone sort of projects their own baggage onto (the issue.)”

“Who knows if this will help?” Cagle asked. “It’s just so hard to read and write about these shootings and not want to do something about it.” He added that the Oregon shooting, in which Christopher Harper-Mercer fatally shot nine people at Umpqua Community College before killing himself, had “caused a kind of a tipping point.”