Michigan State University Shooting Happened on the Eve of Five Year Mark of Parkland High School Mass Shooting, And Fifteen Year Mark of Mass Shooting at Northern Illinois University
Newly Elected Gun Sense Majorities in Michigan House, Senate and Governor’s Mansion Have Opportunity This Legislative Session to Pass Common Sense Gun Safety Laws
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Everytown for Gun Safety and its grassroots networks, Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, released the following statements in response to a shooting at Michigan State University in which three students were shot and killed, and five others shot and wounded. While the investigation is still unfolding, law enforcement has announced the shooter is dead.
Starting in 2013, Everytown has identified at least 1,044 incidents of gunfire on school grounds. Since the start of the year, there have been at least 19 incidents of gunfire on school grounds. Just in Michigan, this is at least the third incident of gunfire on school grounds in 2023, resulting in four deaths and six injuries.
“No one should have to fear for their life while walking on campus. No one should have to text their loved ones goodbye,” said Annie Heitmeier, a third year student at Michigan State University, and a volunteer with Students Demand Action. “It’s horrifying that for some students on our campus, this is the second mass shooting they have lived through. We won’t stand for any more inaction from our legislators because no one should ever experience the terror and fear that we lived through last night.”
“This terrible tragedy at Michigan State is yet another reminder that our nation must do better when it comes to protecting America’s young people from gun violence,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “Our hearts go out to the victims and survivors of this terrible tragedy, and we will honor their loss by doubling down on our efforts to pass common-sense gun laws.”
“Lawmakers opposed to gun safety laws are sacrificing our children to preventable, senseless gun violence,” said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action. “Five years ago, a gunman at a Parkland high school killed 17 and wounded 17. Fifteen years ago, a gunman at Northern Illinois University killed six and wounded 21. And now, a gunman at Michigan State University killed three students and wounded five others as another community is forever traumatized. We stand with all those impacted and demand action to save lives.”
Today is the five year mark of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, during which 17 people were shot and killed and 17 others were wounded. Today is also the fifteen year mark of the mass shooting at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois, where five people were shot and killed and 21 others were wounded. Last night’s shooting comes a little over the year mark of the deadly shooting at Oxford High School in Oxford, Michigan where four students were shot and killed and seven people, including a teacher, were shot and wounded.
With the newly elected gun sense majorities in the Michigan House, Senate and governor’s mansion, there is a new opportunity to pass critical common sense gun safety legislation. In the 2023 legislative session, lawmakers have the chance to carry out the will of the people and send comprehensive gun violence prevention legislation to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s desk. Michigan lacks some of the most foundational gun violence prevention laws, including measures to keep guns out of the wrong hands like Extreme Risk laws, background checks on all firearm sales, and secure storage. Extreme Risk laws are crucial to temporarily removing firearms from individuals in crisis who are in serious risk of harming themselves or others. It is an essential tool to keep our loved ones and communities safe. Additionally background checks on all firearms sales are the foundation of any comprehensive gun violence prevention strategy. Secure firearm storage requirements play a vital role in reducing the risk of gun violence at home and school, and helps prevent access by juveniles or prohibited individuals, is a small step to prevent tragedies and help keep our families safe.
There have been 299 mass shootings in the United States since 2009, resulting in 1,678 people shot and killed and 1,087 people shot and wounded. This includes at least eight mass shootings in Michigan, resulting in 37 people shot and killed and 11 people shot and wounded. The reach of each mass shooting stretches far beyond those killed and wounded, harming the well-being of survivors, their families, and entire communities.
In an average year, 1,270 people die and 2,437 are wounded by guns in Michigan. Guns are the leading cause of death among children and teens in Michigan, and an average of 95 children and teens die by guns every year, of which 39% of these deaths are suicides and 57% are homicides. Gun violence in Michigan costs $1,683 per person each year. Gun deaths and injuries cost Michigan $16.8 billion each year, of which $380.5 million is paid by taxpayers.
More information about gun violence in Michigan is available here.