NEWTOWN, Conn. – Since September 1st, 6 people have been killed and 16 wounded in separate mass shootings across the United States in Birmingham, Alabama, Atlanta, Georgia, Galveston, Texas, High Point, North Carolina, and Freeport, Illinois over Labor Day weekend. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 485 mass shootings in 2023 where four or more were killed or injured, excluding the shooter.
In response, Nicole Hockley, co-founder and CEO of Sandy Hook Promise and mother of Dylan, who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, issued the following statement:
“Our hearts are heavy for every community with loved ones impacted by gun violence this weekend. The Labor Day holiday is meant to be a time of celebration and rest, but for many, it was filled with fear and loss – and the mental toll on survivors is likely to be severe. Now as many prepare to head back to school; parents, teachers, and children alike are anxious about what awaits them in the classroom – a year of milestones and learning, or more senseless killing.
“Despite yet another holiday weekend riddled with gun violence, I remain hopeful our country can bring forth sensible gun policy reforms to protect our kids like President Biden’s proposed ruling to codify the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and expand background checks to stop gun violence.
“But we can’t stop there. We must let our grief and fear inspire us to use our voices and ensure that America stops accepting gun violence as the norm and enacts these proposed policies to prevent it from destroying more communities.”
###
The Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund (SHPAF) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization committed to protecting all children from gun violence in schools, homes, and communities. The SHP Action Fund advances a holistic policy platform that promotes gun safety, youth mental health, and violence prevention education. The organization works at the state and federal level to pass nonpartisan legislation through inclusive partnerships, diverse grassroots education, and community mobilization. It is part of Sandy Hook Promise, founded and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.
Media Contact:
Aimee Thunberg | [email protected] | 646-761-5579