ST. LOUIS – The Missouri chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, released the following statement in response to a shooting in St. Louis that left three people dead Thursday.
Authorities are still investigating the shooting, but early reports suggest a shooter randomly shot and killed two people at a work site before taking his own life. According to the police, the victims were Laclede Gas employees, one of whom was in his 20s, and the other was in his 50s. The unidentified suspect was a man in his 30s.
The shooting occurred as lawmakers in Jefferson City consider further weakening Missouri’s gun laws, including by allowing people to carry hidden, loaded handguns in Missouri schools, college and university facilities and bars, along with daycare centers, sports arenas and police stations. Last year, despite strong concerns from law enforcement leaders, Missouri legislators passed a law that dismantled Missouri’s concealed carry permit requirement.
Missouri is also the only recent state to repeal a background check requirement. Missouri repealed its law requiring background checks on all handgun sales in 2007. Research shows that since the repeal of the background check law in Missouri, the diversion of guns to criminals increased significantly along with increased gun trafficking.
Across the country, 93 people are killed on average each day with guns.
STATEMENT FROM BECKY MORGAN, VOLUNTEER CHAPTER LEADER WITH THE MISSOURI CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“We offer our deepest condolences to the families affected by this tragic shooting. Today’s tragedy is an awful reminder that we need to do all we can to protect our communities from gun violence – including urging our lawmakers in Jefferson City not to further weaken Missouri’s gun laws.”