PHOENIX — Today, the Arizona chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement urging Governor Katie Hobbs to veto House Bill 2667 after lawmakers in the Senate passed legislation seeking to weaken state gun laws. HB 2667 is a dangerous piece of legislation that would force public colleges and universities to allow hidden, loaded guns on campus, in addition to sending HB 2544 to Governor Katie Hobbs’ desk which seeks to exempt firearms “modified” within state boundaries from federal firearms laws and regulations.
“This is just the latest act by Republican lawmakers intent on putting guns over people,” said Avi Rubin, a volunteer with the Arizona chapter of Students Demand Action. “We deserve to learn in a safe environment, and this bill will only make it harder to have peace of mind when we’re walking to class or spending time in common spaces. Too many young Americans have been haunted and traumatized by gun violence, and the last thing our lawmakers should be doing is forcing more guns into more places. We’re grateful to have an ally in Governor Hobbs and look forward to her vetoing this dangerous bill, because this is not the reality students want, and we won’t back down until we are safe in every corner of our state.”
Guns are the number one cause of death for college-aged people in the U.S. and campuses across the country continue to grapple with multiple shootings this year alone. Just in the first month and a half of this year, there have been over two dozen incidents of gunfire on school grounds. Since 2013, Everytown has identified at least 1,068 incidents of gunfire on school grounds across the country. The vast majority of states and colleges prohibit guns from being carried on campus either by law or choice. However, in recent years the gun lobby has pushed legislation to force guns on college campuses against the wishes of most students, staff, and campus law enforcement.
In an average year in Arizona, 1,228 people die by guns and 919 people are wounded. Gun violence costs Arizona $15.9 billion each year, of which $253.2 million is paid by taxpayers. More information about gun violence in Arizona is available here. To speak to a local volunteer with Moms Demand Action or Students Demand Action, or a policy expert, please reach out to [email protected].
