The Minnesota chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement after a shooting in a bar in St. Paul early Sunday morning, where one individual was shot and killed and 14 others were shot and wounded. Details are still developing.
“Our hearts are with those impacted by this devastating act of gun violence,” said Jessica DeWeerth, a volunteer with the Minnesota Chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Minnesotans should not have to live in constant fear of gun violence. Last night serves as yet another painful reminder of the urgent need for Minnesota’s leaders to stand up and take action to protect our communities from gun violence.”
In an average year, 442 people die by guns in Minnesota and 680 more are shot and wounded. Gun violence costs Minnesota $2.9 billion each year, of which $83.3 million is paid by taxpayers. Black people in Minnesota are 13 times more likely than white people to die by gun homicide. More information on gun violence in Minnesota is available here.