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Jenna Passalacqua and Robert Yuille are the daughter and husband of Cindy Yuille, who was shot and killed five months ago. They would like Oregon lawmakers to expand background checks for gun purchases.

(Jamie Francis/The Oregonian)

By Robert Yuille and Jenna Passalacqua

This is the first Mother's Day without Cindy in our lives, as Saturday marks five months since she was murdered at the Clackamas Town Center. Like thousands of other families across Oregon, we are now faced with the loss of a loved one to gun violence.

As we remember Cindy on Mother's Day, we are asking our leaders in Salem to set aside the politics and take action to prevent future tragedies like the one we suffered.

From mass shootings to homicide and suicide, gun violence takes many forms in our society. While no single law or policy will end the pain caused by misuse of firearms, there are smart, common sense solutions that will make our communities safer without infringing on our rights as gun owners.

Right now, the most important step the Oregon Legislature can take toward gun safety is establishing universal criminal background checks so that every time a gun is purchased here in Oregon, we can be sure it stays out of the hands of both criminals and those with a dangerous mental illness.

Oregon already requires background checks for guns bought from dealers or at a gun show, but sales on the private market create a dangerous loophole. Background checks are quick, easy and they work. Conducted over the phone by the Oregon State Police, more than 96 percent of them are completed in less than five minutes.

Last week, Senate President Peter Courtney announced that he is bringing together lawmakers from both parties

. We applaud Courtney's leadership and thank members of the Legislature for being willing to put aside their differences and work together.

Even late in this legislative session, this gives us hope that here in Oregon we can move past the partisanship and the finger-pointing to do what is right.

Oregonians, like people across America, overwhelmingly support universal background checks -- with 81 percent endorsing the idea in a January poll by The Oregonian. Democrats, Republicans, independents and gun owners all support closing this loophole and keeping guns out of the wrong hands. It is time for our leaders to listen to the people of Oregon and find agreement on this important step to reduce gun violence and improve gun safety in our communities.

In December, we will mark the one-year anniversary of losing Cindy to a senseless act of gun violence. The pain and loss we have experienced will not go away with this news cycle or with the end of this legislative session. But by taking concrete action now, our legislative leaders can help ensure that others do not have to experience what our family has gone through.

Next December, we will look back and we will ask: Are we succeeding in reducing gun violence in our communities? Are we taking the steps necessary toward making our communities safer? It starts with simple, common sense laws to improve gun safety.

Cindy always believed that things happen for a reason. As we mark our first Mother's Day without her, let's pledge to make 2013 the year we acted to reduce gun violence and improve gun safety in our state.

Robert Yuille and Jenna Passalacqua are the husband and daughter of Cindy Yuille, who died in the Clackamas Town Center shooting Dec. 11, 2012.