Kansas City, Missouri – Below is a statement by U.S. Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran on today’s mass shooting in Columbus, Ohio:
“America’s mayors are shocked and saddened once again by yet another mass shooting, this one in Columbus, Ohio, where 10 people, including two teenagers, were shot early this morning. We are relieved that no one was killed and hope that all the victims recover quickly and fully from their injuries. We stand with Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther, the victims, and the entire Columbus community as they work to recover from this tragedy.
“It is striking and sad that this happened just hours before Mayor Ginther was elected President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the Conference voted unanimously on policy to strengthen the nation’s gun laws. Mass shootings have become routine in our cities; we endure the pain and suffering of gun violence on a daily basis. This should not be happening in our country and it doesn’t have to happen.
“Once again, we call on Congress to pass common sense gun safety legislation right away, to ban assault weapons, strengthen the background check system, and require safe storage when a child is expected to be in the home. Enough is enough. The time to act is now.”