By Black Star News
Photos: YouTube Screenshots
Numerous gun control organizations have weighed in on Wednesday’s mass shooting at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota—which killed two children, ages 8 and 10, and injured 17 others, including three elderly Minnesotans in their 80’s, while they were praying at mass.
Gun control advocacy groups like: Giffords, Everytown, Moms Demand Action, Brady, and Sandy Hook Promise are speaking out and calling for action on gun control.
Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, the founder of Giffords, said the following:
“When will enough be enough? I am devastated by the news of a mass shooting at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis. No one should have to fear for their lives when attending religious services. This is the first week of school for the community and the Annunciation Catholic school. While we’re still awaiting more information, I am heartbroken that yet another community is affected by a mass shooting. This doesn’t have to be the reality for anyone. There are solutions that legislators should act on now to prevent another tragic day like today. GIFFORDS stands ready to assist our partners in Minnesota and the Minneapolis community in any way that we can.”
The Minnesota chapter of Moms Demand Action, and Students Demand Action, part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement:
“What should be a day of hope has turned into a day of horror for yet another school community,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “All signs point to this tragedy being perpetrated by an assault weapon, which begs a question: How many more Americans must die before lawmakers ban these weapons of war?”
“As a mom who just sent my little ones back to school and as a woman of faith, I am devastated that yet again children are dead and more are fighting for their lives after being gunned down at school and in a church,” said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action. “How many more of our babies have to die before Congress finally gets these weapons of war off our streets?”
“While details are still unfolding, another school year has barely begun and already it’s being defined by gun violence,” said Kathleen Anderson, a volunteer with the Minnesota chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Our places of education and worship should be places of refuge, not battlefields. We are praying for the Annunciation Catholic School community. Enough is enough.”
“This is the reality we’re growing up in. Nowhere feels safe,” said Timberlyn Mazeikis, a gun violence survivor from the school shooting at Michigan State University in 2023 and Students Demand Action volunteer from Minnesota. “One week into the school year, colleges are under constant lockdown hoaxes while kids are being shot at school. Until we get weapons of war off our streets, students will keep getting shot and killed and this will continue to be our reality.”
Brady President Kris Brown said:
“Kids should not be in fear for their lives when simply going to school or church. But that is our reality in the United States where gun violence is the number one cause of death for children. How dare we call ourselves a free nation when our children live with the possibility of being shot and killed at any given moment?
“President Trump has called the incident a ‘tragic’ and ‘terrible situation,’ but offers up only hollow prayers while simultaneously pushing his ‘guns everywhere’ agenda and eviscerating real solutions that have led to massive declines in homicides and violent crimes across the country. We need action to make our children and communities safer – not armed National Guard members, not lies and fear mongering, and not more capitulation to the gun industry.
“Our hearts are with the victims, survivors, their families, and the entire Minnesota community.”
Nicole Hockley and Mark Barden co-founders of Sandy Hook Promise both expressed their feelings about Wednesday’s shooting.
“Two precious children, just 8 and 10 years old, were shot and killed at their school in Minnesota this morning, with reports of at least 17 more injured,” said Hockley. “This is a time of year when children should be focused on the excitement of heading back to school, and all the typical butterflies and jitters that come this time of year. Instead, they’re met with unspeakable horror that no one should ever have to experience.
“As a mom whose son was killed in his first-grade classroom, I understand the unbearable pain these families are now living. My heart is with them in their grief – and I am also filled with anger. Our children deserve more than moments of silence, thoughts and prayers. They deserve action.
“How many more children must die before we act? Our kids deserve to be safe in their classrooms and communities, and free from gun violence. Back-to-school is a special time of year, one that should be filled with excitement and a sense of hope for what the year holds for our children – what they will learn, what friends they will make, what they will discover about themselves, how they will grow. We cannot accept these acts of senseless violence as normal. We cannot let their lives, and all lives taken by gun violence, to simply fade into another headline. We can and must do more to keep our kids safe.
“Today, I stand with the families, the community of Annunciation Catholic School, and our entire nation in grieving this senseless violence. And tomorrow – and every day after – I will stand in determination and in outrage until the killing of our children ends.”
“No community is ever prepared for the unbearable pain and trauma caused by an event like this,” said Barden. “This is something that we don’t have to accept and endure – prevention is possible when we come together to take action.
“As the investigation into this attack unfolds, we encourage law enforcement to discover what kind of warning signs were present leading up to today. In the majority of school shootings, warning signs precede the act of violence. When people are able to recognize these signs and seek help, tragedy can be prevented. That is how we can save lives and end this terrible epidemic in our nation.
“The victims and their loved ones deserve that from us. They deserve to know that we will take action to spare more families and communities from this horrible trauma and save the lives of children.”
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