The Colorado chapters of Students Demand Action and Moms Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, released the following statement after six teenagers between the ages of 14-18 years old were shot and wounded at Nome Park in Aurora, Colorado. Details are still developing.
“Our hearts break for all of those harmed by today’s tragic shooting in Nome Park,” said Hannah Sanders, a lifelong Colorado resident and volunteer with Students Demand Action at University of Colorado Boulder. “The fear of being wounded or killed by gun violence while we’re in our communities should not be a part of our experience growing up, but for far too many students it is our reality. We must do more to protect all of our communities from gun violence.”
Firearms are the leading cause of death among children and teens in Colorado. In an average year, 805 people die and 360 people are wounded by guns in Colorado. Gun deaths have increased 32% from 2010 to 2019, compared to a 17% increase nationwide. Gun violence costs Colorado $5.6 billion each year, of which $170.2 million is paid by taxpayers.