As mothers, we are devastated by the death of Claire Davis, a 17-year-old high school student who was shot and killed in the sanctity of her American high school on Dec. 13, the day before the year anniversary of the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary. Today we are all Claire’s mother, and we are enraged by the continued inaction of our Congress, who sit by as eight children or teens are shot and killed every day. What does it say about our country that we consider our children’s lives so expendable?
Claire was murdered by an 18-year-old high school senior who was legally able to purchase a shotgun and ammunition. The gunman would have had to be 21 to purchase a handgun. This shooting, the 28th school shooting in America since Newtown, underscores yet again an urgent need for federal and state legislative action on new and stronger gun laws that will address the epidemic of gun violence that threatens the safety of our children and families.
In honor of Claire’s life, cut short by a shooting that was avoidable and senseless, and all of the victims of gun violence in our country, American mothers will continue to fight for gun reform until Congress and our state legislatures enact real, meaningful solutions.
