UCLA Shooting is 26th School Shooting in 2016; 186th School Shooting Since 2013; Everytown Research (And Visuals) on Gun Violence by the Numbers Available Here
Richard Martinez, Whose Son Christopher Ross Michaels-Martinez was Killed in May 2014 Shooting Near UCSB, Available for Interviews
LOS ANGELES – The California chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today responded to reports of a shooting at UCLA. While details are still unfolding, initial reports are that two people have been shot and killed.
This is the 26th school shooting in 2016 and the 186th school shooting since 2013.
STATEMENT FROM SARA SMIRIN, A VOLUNTEER WITH THE CALIFORNIA CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“Once again, a college community has been terrorized by gun violence. While we don’t yet have all the details, we know that it doesn’t have to be this way. I am frustrated and tired of campus communities going on lockdown and news reports of students fearing for their lives. More than 90 Americans are killed every day by gun violence. We have to do more to keep the places where our families live, work and study safe. If people are upset by once again seeing gun violence in the headlines, I would encourage them to join us and be part of the movement to prevent gun violence. We have to honor the victims of gun violence with action.”
STATEMENT FROM RICHARD MARTINEZ, A MEMBER OF THE EVERYTOWN SURVIVOR NETWORK AND SENIOR ASSOCIATE FOR EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY, WHOSE SON CHRISTOPHER ROSS MICHAELS-MARTINEZ WAS KILLED IN THE MAY 2014 SHOOTING NEAR UCSB:
“Today a California university has been affected by gun violence and yet another round of families will get a call like so many parents receive when gun violence strikes where our children are learning. That is a call I would wish on no one. I am so angry that we are here again. We cannot sit idly by while gun violence shatters our families and creates fear in our communities. We should say to ourselves, ‘Not One More’ and act to stop gun violence. We should feel safe sending our kids to school. We have to do more protect our families and prevent our kids from being shot and killed. We can and must do better.”