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Everytown, Minnesota Moms and Gun Violence Survivors Respond to Workplace Shooting in St. Paul

April 8, 2016

Minnesota Moms Demand Action Volunteer Was Present at Law Firm at Time of Shooting; Moms and Survivors Available for Media

Everytown Research (And Visuals) on Gun Violence by the Numbers Available Here

ST. PAUL, Minn.— The Minnesota chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and the Everytown Survivor Network, both a part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today responded to the shooting last night at the North Star Criminal Defense office in St. Paul in which a 37-year old shooter fatally shot an unidentified male. The shooter, who is in custody, is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing guns. Details on how the shooter obtained the firearm used in the incident are still unclear at this time.

In March, volunteers with the Minnesota chapter of Moms Demand Action and members of the Everytown Survivor network joined gun owners, faith leaders, law enforcement officers, county attorneys and members of the medical community at a press conference to support of Senator Ron Latz and Representative Dan Schoen’s introduction of a new comprehensive gun safety bill. The legislation would require background checks on all gun sales, closing existing loopholes in Minnesota law that allow felons, domestic abusers and people suffering from dangerous mental illness to get guns.

More information on gun violence in America is available here: Gun Violence By the Numbers.

STATEMENT FROM ATHENA ADKINS, SHARES OFFICE SPACE WITH NORTH STAR CRIMINAL DEFENSE AND VOLUNTEER WITH THE MINNESOTA CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:

“My heart is broken. My friend and colleague was murdered yesterday in my office. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his co-workers. We never think it will be our community, our workplace, the people we know – and then suddenly it is. I am in shock from what happened and I am angry. While we search for answers on how and why this happened, there are some things we know for sure: 91 Americans die every day from gun violence. And we know that our legislators in Saint Paul have an opportunity to close critical loopholes that allow dangerous people to get their hands on guns. As we come together to grieve, we must also come together to take action. There is no one solution to stop all gun violence, but we must demand that our Minnesota lawmakers take responsible steps to help keep guns out of dangerous hands. We can all do more to reduce gun violence and I am dedicated to doing whatever it takes to create a safer Minnesota.”

STATEMENT FROM RACHAEL JOSEPH, MEMBER OF THE EVERYTOWN SURVIVOR NETWORK IN MINNESOTA:

“Today another family wakes up knowing what it’s like to live without a loved one—another community, my community, has been rocked by gun violence. When my Aunt Shelley was shot and killed at the Hennepin County Government Center, I knew my life and my family would never be the same. It’s a feeling I would wish on no one. My prayers are with the victim’s family, my fellow volunteer, Athena, and the entire North Star Defense family who are freshly experiencing a trauma thousands of Americans know all too well. We have to do more to reduce gun violence. This is not a hopeless fight. There are reasonable steps we can take that will save lives. As a member of the Everytown Survivor Network in Minnesota, I am committed to demanding more of our lawmakers. If what happened last night upsets you, I encourage you to get involved and do your part to prevent future tragedies.”

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