Washington, DC–Below is a statement from U.S. Conference of Mayors President Reno (NV) Mayor Hillary Schieve on today’s mass shooting in Kansas City:
“Today yet another horrific mass shooting marred what should have been a festive celebration – the parade recognizing the Super Bowl victory of the Kansas City Chiefs. The scourge of gun violence knows no bounds. From parades and movie theaters to grocery stores and schools – it continues to turn moments of joy into sheer terror and tragedy. This should not be happening in our country.
“America’s mayors stand with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and the Kansas City community at this difficult time. We praise the quick response and bravery of the first responders – police and fire department personnel – who ran toward danger. There were 600 Kansas City Missouri police department officers at the parade with an additional 250 officers from other agencies. And yet, with all of them there, a mass shooting still happened, killing at least one person, and injuring more than 21.
“This tragedy falls on the six-year anniversary of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida that took 17 innocent lives. Again and again, year after year, we are forced to ask: what will it take for this nation to do something about the easy access to guns in our country? And what will it take for Congress to address this senseless violence that is plaguing far too many American communities?
“Mayor Lucas is the Conference’s leader on preventing gun violence and he has been a strong advocate for common sense solutions. Under his leadership, we will redouble our efforts to fight for legislation that can help to reduce these senseless acts of violence and protect other Americans from experiencing such suffering.”