SEATTLE, WA – The Alliance for Gun Responsibility released the following statement in response to this weekend’s tragic shootings in Dayton, Ohio and El Paso, Texas:

“There have been 251 mass shootings this year; there have only been 216 days. We must take action,” said Renee Hopkins, CEO of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility. “Americans deserve to live in a country without mass shootings and the scourge of everyday shootings that happen across our country. We deserve to live in a country where we do everything possible to prevent gun violence. We know what it takes to prevent these tragedies. Our political leaders at every level of government, must take action.

Washington State has led the way on passing commonsense gun laws, but we can and must do more. Our elected officials need to pass restrictions on high-capacity magazines and invest in implementation of laws across the state.

And in the other Washington, our national leaders, especially the US Senate, need to follow our lead and pass laws including expanded and enhanced background checks, Extreme Risk Protection Orders and prioritize funding of critical research on gun violence.

Finally, all elected officials need to stand against the hate and racism-fueled violence that is gripping our nation. We must demand more to end the epidemic of gun violence in America.”