California Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action Respond to Shooting at Church in Laguna Woods

The California chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety, released the following statement after reports that multiple people were shot at a church in Laguna Woods, with at least one person killed and at least four people wounded. Details of the shooting are still unfolding. 

“We should be able to worship wherever and whenever we choose, free from the threat of gun violence. But sadly today in America, even what should be peaceful sanctuaries of reflection are not safe from the threat of gun violence,” said Kasey Zahner, a volunteer leader of the California chapter of Moms Demand Action. “While details are still unfolding, our hearts are with the Laguna Woods families impacted by this tragedy whose lives will never be the same.” 

This shooting comes during what has been a deadly weekend nationwide, after at least 17 people were shot and wounded in a mass shooting in Milwaukee, WI on Friday and a mass shooting in Buffalo, NY on Saturday resulted in at least 10 people shot and killed and three others shot and wounded. This is among countless other shootings that never made headlines, as gun violence results in 110 people shot and killed every day nationwide, with hundreds more wounded. 

In an average year, 3,160 people die and 6,843 people are wounded by guns in California. Gun violence costs California $22.6 billion each year, of which $1.2 billion is paid by taxpayers. Learn more about gun violence in California here.