SEATTLE, WA – The Alliance for Gun Responsibility issued the following statement in response to a mass shooting Wednesday morning at Apalachee High School in Georgia that killed four people and hospitalized at least nine people. As the school year begins, what should be a time of excitement and new beginnings has instead turned into a nightmare for students, families, and educators.

“Once again, we are forced to confront the horrific reality that no child is safe from gun violence in America,” said Renée Hopkins, CEO of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility. “As details continue to emerge, our hearts are with the victims and their families. But thoughts and prayers are not enough. In 2024, there were at least 133 incidents of gunfire on school grounds, resulting in 38 deaths and 81 injuries nationally. We need comprehensive and meaningful change, starting with enacting evidence-based gun violence prevention policies that save lives. It is unacceptable that despite overwhelming public support for common-sense gun safety measures, lawmakers continue to fail in their responsibility to protect our communities from gun violence.”

“The stark reality is that more children and teenagers are dying from gun violence in the U.S. than from auto accidents,” said Ryan Disch-Guzman, Chief of Staff at the Alliance for Gun Responsibility. “The time for action is now. We cannot afford to wait until the next tragedy to act. We urge every American to join us in demanding that our leaders take immediate steps to prevent further senseless violence.”