Marjory Stoneman Douglas School Shooting is at least the 18th School Shooting in 2018; 291st School Shooting Since 2013
Gun Violence by the Numbers (and Visuals) Available Here
PARKLAND, Fla. – The Florida chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and a member of the Everytown Survivor Network, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety, responded to a shooting today at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. While details are still unfolding, reports indicate numerous fatalities and injuries.
According to Everytown research, this was at least the 18th school shooting nationwide in 2018, and at least the 291st since January 2013. Everytown and Moms Demand Action have kept an index of school shootings in America since 2013 – recording anytime a firearm is discharged inside a school building or on a school campus or grounds, including: injuries, fatalities, suicides and unintentional discharges. Any time a gun is discharged on school grounds, it is a tragedy.
STATEMENT FROM COLIN GODDARD, A MEMBER OF THE EVERYTOWN SURVIVOR NETWORK WHO WAS SHOT AND INJURED IN THE MASS SHOOTING AT VIRGINIA TECH ON APRIL 16, 2007:
“The moment that gunshots rang out in my classroom at Virginia Tech, my eyes opened to the reality that students sitting in class – in the right place, at the right time – can become victims of gun violence. Too many students and families in Parkland, Florida, are now suffering because they understand it too. Every day a student goes to school, they deserve to come home. We have to get this right. We must fight for safer gun laws to put an end to the gun violence crisis that plagues our nation.”
STATEMENT FROM SHANNON WATTS, FOUNDER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“As a mom of five children, I’m outraged that yet another community has been traumatized by gun violence. This is at least the 18th school shooting this year alone, which is difficult to fathom. And yet, it’s our current reality in America. Kids and educators deserve to be safe, and parents shouldn’t worry that their children will be shot at school. We know stronger gun laws reduce gun violence. Every American must commit to taking action to end gun violence – we must demand more than ‘thoughts and prayers’ from our lawmakers, and they must find the courage to be part of the solution and finally put a stop to this.”
STATEMENT FROM KATHRYN REEVE, A FORT LAUDERDALE-BASED VOLUNTEER WITH THE FLORIDA CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“Today’s shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School is a nightmare for any parent. While watching police and paramedics respond on the news, thousands of parents are waiting to find out if their child is ok, if they will come home for dinner tonight, or if they are even alive. Some parents may never see their children again. This simply is not the world we want to live in — and anyone who says we must accept this as normal is wrong. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. But thoughts and prayers aren’t enough, which is why Moms Demand Action volunteers will not rest until we pass strong legislation to keep guns out the hands of people with dangerous intentions. We can and must demand our elected leaders do more to keep our communities safe from gun violence.”