Statement From Renée Hopkins, CEO Of The Alliance For Gun Responsibility, About The School Shooting in Parkland, Florida:

“Our thoughts are with the students and teachers, their families, first responders and the entire Parkland community. While the details of this horrific act are still unfolding, we know one thing for sure. Our thoughts and prayers are not enough.

Schools should be a safe place for everyone. Students should be free to learn and thrive and be shielded from any violence. What we saw today is the exact opposite of that, and sadly, it is nothing new. Today marks the 18th school shooting so far in 2018.

This is unacceptable. Keeping our communities safe from gun violence must be prioritized. It should be a paramount duty that every community member and elected leader owns, no matter where you live or how you vote.

Tonight marks the deadline for several commonsense gun bills in our state legislature. We must urge our leaders, with the heartbreak of today’s tragedy weighing heavily on our hearts, to vote for commonsense gun responsibility policies that can help save lives. Inaction is not an option. The safety of our children is at stake.”