Yesterday in a suburb of Denver, two students targeted STEM School Highlands Ranch, fatally shooting one fellow student and injuring eight more.
In response, the Democratic candidates for president responded, many of them not only expressing their thoughts and prayers, but also honoring the survivors with action by calling for stronger gun laws, Axios reported. It’s the latest indication that 2020 candidates are speaking out about gun violence prevention in ways that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.
According to Axios, here’s what the presidential candidates said:
- “Sen. Elizabeth Warren: She tweeted, ‘Heartsick for the victims, their loved ones, and the Highlands Ranch community. How many more of our children’s schools must be torn apart by gun violence until Congress does something? We need gun reform. Now.’
- “Sen. Cory Booker: He tweeted, ‘My heart aches. Another day, another school shooting. Every hour we wait more people are murdered—we have to pass comprehensive gun safety reform.’
- “Southbend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg: He tweeted, ‘We have to solve the mass shooting epidemic. We — especially our students — should all feel safe in our communities. I’m praying for the students and families from STEM School Highlands Ranch, and will not rest until we deliver common-sense gun reform.’
- “Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand: She tweeted, ‘Another school shooting. Another life cut far too short. Another family and community changed. Forever. How many more will it take? I’m holding Highlands Ranch in my heart tonight. This can’t go on.’
- “Sen. Kamala Harris: She tweeted, ‘How many more children have to watch their classmates get shot before Congress and the White House act?’
- “Former Texas congressman Beto O’Rourke: He tweeted a video post of an interview on gun violence alongside his comments, ‘Yesterday, a 14-year-old told me she was afraid that she would be shot in her classroom. Today, students in Highlands Ranch were shot in theirs. We are not doing enough to protect the lives in our lives. We must take action now to stop gun violence in our communities.’
- “Sen. Amy Klobuchar: She tweeted, ‘My heart goes out to the victims & their families at the STEM School Highlands Ranch, just eight miles away from Columbine High School. This has to stop. We must pass federal laws to end gun violence.’
- “Rep. Eric Swalwell: He tweeted: ‘One thing we can all agree on: This should not be a child’s reality.#EnoughIsEnough #STEMShooting’
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- “Sen. Michael Bennet: He tweeted, ‘Heartbroken for this student’s family, loved ones, and classmates, and for everyone affected by today’s tragedy. This sickening reality has become too normal for our children. They deserve better. We have to do better.’
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- “Former Gov. John Hickenlooper: He tweeted, ‘My heart is with the parents, students, and faculty of @stemschoolHR , and the first responders who rushed to their aid. This is every parent’s nightmare, and it’s becoming every child’s nightmare as well. We can’t just accept this. We have to end this epidemic of gun violence.’”
READ THE FULL AXIOS PIECE HERE.
Although it is still early days, the 2020 presidential cycle has been notable for the number of candidates proudly embracing gun safety as an issue to run and win on. To name just a few: Just this week, Sen. Booker released a comprehensive gun violence prevention plan. Sen. Harris recently announced her intention to take executive action if Congress fails to pass a background check bill in the first 100 days of her being elected president. Congressman Swalwell has made gun safety a central issue in his campaign. Congressman Ryan wore a “We Can End Gun Violence” t-shirt in his kickoff video. And Sen. Warren has decried the influence of the NRA.
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America volunteers are attending candidate forums to elevate the issue of gun safety around the country — and will continue to do so until the 2020 election.
To learn more about the role gun safety is playing in the presidential contest, please don’t hesitate to reach out.