The New Mexico chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety, released the following statement after four law enforcement officers were wounded in a shooting in northeast Albuquerque. Initial reports suggest the officers were responding to reported robbery when the shooting occurred. At least one officer is in critical condition after being shot in the chest. Details are still developing.
“Our hearts are with the families and loved ones of the officers wounded in this devastating shooting,” said D. Baca, a volunteer with the New Mexico chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Our country is in the midst of a gun violence crisis and we must take the common sense steps needed to create safer communities for all New Mexicans, so that tragedies like this shooting do not continue to happen.”
In an average year, 415 people die and 879 people are wounded by guns. New Mexico has the 7th-highest rate of gun deaths in the US. Gun violence costs New Mexico $3.1 billion each year, of which $131.9 million is paid by taxpayers.