In Wake of Shootings, Reed Calls for Stronger Gun Safety Laws

WASHINGTON, DC - Following the latest school shooting that took place in Georgia, where a 14-year-old suspect opened fire with a military-style weapon at Apalachee High School, killing four, injuring dozens, and sending at least nine to the hospital, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) says elected officials must offer more than condolences to stop the violence and Congress must take legislative action to prevent more deadly mass-shootings. Reed stated:

"Once again, we are left heartbroken by a tragic, senseless and horrific mass shooting that took the lives of innocent students and teachers. Supporting the community doesn't mean just sending thoughts and prayers - it means taking concrete action to put a stop to the epidemic of gun violence in this country. It means commonsense action to prevent teenagers and others from getting their hands on weapons of war that are designed to inflict mass-harm.

"Technology exists that can secure firearms effectively and prevent unsupervised kids from getting their hands on guns. The law should hold people accountable if they fail to take proper precautions.

"I will continue to speak out against gun violence and call for meaningful action to prevent it.

"Congress can and should come together to pass commonsense gun violence prevention measures like reinstating the assault weapons ban, improving background checks, banning high-capacity magazines, ending the liability shield for gunmakers, and requiring safe storage of firearms.

"We must also crack down on untraceable ghost guns like the one that was used to take the innocent life of seven year old Ny'eil Pires as she sat in the backseat her family's car car on Florence Street in Providence.

"Our hearts go out to the Pires family, the Apalachee High School community, and Americans everywhere who are impacted by gun violence.

"We must take action to advance comprehensive, bipartisan reform before more families, schools, and communities suffer. From Providence to Georgia to Connecticut to Texas, Colorado, Oregon and California, this is a national problem and it requires a comprehensive, national response that is long overdue."

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