Tragedy Highlights Need for Continued Action to Reduce Gun Violence
In response to the shooting yesterday at Columbia Mall in Howard County, Maryland, that left three people dead including the shooter, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America members renewed their call for political leaders to take steps to prevent gun violence. A Maryland Moms Demand Action member and her 2-year-old child were among hundreds of shoppers who were on lockdown for hours inside the mall as the scene was cleared. This incident happened on the heels of a 10-day spate of six school shootings.
“We live in a time when many American mothers worry about active shooters as we take our children to the mall, the movie theater, or to school,” said Jenifer Pauliukonis, Maryland chapter leader of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “Sadly, yesterday in Maryland, we were reminded that this is not an irrational fear. But, we are resolved to not accept this reality as ‘the new normal in our country.’ Instead, moms will continue to use our voices and our votes to call for sensible gun reform.”
A member of Moms Demand Action who is a Maryland-area pediatrician and was in the mall at the time of the shooting said, “You can only imagine the terror of holding your 2-year-old in a cold back hallway for 2 hours with terrified children, babies and parents, with no idea if you are going to be ok. I am more committed than ever to this important critical movement. This cannot be acceptable as the new normal. The kids are traumatized and I am, too. We have to do something real and change this terrifying reality.”
“Our hearts go out to the families of those lost in the mall shooting and all those who were terrified inside the mall as they waited for the scene to be cleared. In their honor, we’ll continue our work to create safer homes, safer schools, and safer communities,” said Pauliukonis.
