I was a student in high school when Columbine happened. I remember the shock and horror but also the fear that this could happen in my own community. In 20 years, it seems like nothing has changed except that more and more communities have suffered a similar fate.
As a father, I cannot begin to fathom the pain and heartbreak the families in Uvalde must be experiencing. This tragedy comes just 10 days after the shooting in Buffalo, in the wake of shooting at an AAPI church, and just a few years after the shooting in El Paso. As a society, we must say enough is enough.
Changing public policy requires elected officials willing to act, good policy ideas to put forth, and a grassroots effort to see the change through. The unfortunate reality is leadership in this state has never met a gun safety measure they won’t loosen, no matter the cost.
Gun violence is a public health crisis and must be treated as such, with a robust approach focused on safety and saving lives. As state representative, I’ve pushed for a special session to address gun violence and I support common sense solutions, including universal background checks, closing the gun show and private sales loopholes, and red flag laws. These are not measures any responsible gun owner or hunter should fear or oppose.
I promise to continue to unequivocally support legislation to address gun violence and to continue to vehemently oppose and vote against any bill that further jeopardizes public safety and our children’s lives.