NEWTOWN, Conn. – At least 31 people were killed and more than 110 others were injured in shootings that took place in various locations throughout the country over the extended Fourth of July holiday weekend. Nearly 20 of those shooting victims were children or teens, including a 10-year-old girl that was murdered in Cleveland and an 8-year-old boy that was killed in Chicago. Mass shootings also occurred in Florence, Kentucky; Detroit, Michigan; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Albany, New York; Tampa, Florida, and multiple other locations.
The Fourth of July holiday has a history of being one of the deadliest days of the year for gun violence – a trend that shows no signs of slowing down. There were 80 total mass shootings during the Fourth of July week in the three-year span between 2021 and 2023.
In response, Nicole Hockley, co-founder and co-CEO of Sandy Hook Promise and mother of Dylan, who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, issued the following statement:
“Today we mourn for the communities across our nation that have been shattered by mass shootings and other acts of violence during the Fourth of July holiday. Instead of celebrating our nation’s independence and enjoying cherished moments with family and friends, far too many are grieving for loved ones taken by gun violence. Our hearts are with the families of the victims, who are facing unimaginable grief and anger. We stand with them and vow to never cease our efforts to eliminate gun violence so that no parent ever has to endure such a profound loss again.”
“Here in the “land of the free and the home of the brave,” Americans are neither free to live their lives without fear from gun violence, nor are our legislators brave enough to take on this public health epidemic. It is a grave injustice that our lawmakers have not yet passed enough common-sense measures that are proven to save lives.”
“Every single day that passes without action means another young life is lost, another family is plunged into mourning, and another community is left with lasting scars. The time for decisive action is now. Undisputed research shows that simple policy actions like background checks for all gun sales, secure storage, and temporary transfer orders are proven to save lives. We must demand that our leaders enact these necessary reforms to protect our communities and honor the memories of those taken by gun violence.”
To learn more about how you can get involved and take a stand against gun violence, visit sandyhookpromise.org/take-action/get-involved/.
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Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) envisions a future where all children are free from school shootings and other acts of violence. As a national nonprofit organization, SHP’s mission is to educate and empower youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes, and communities. Creators of the life-saving, evidence-informed “Know the Signs” prevention programs, SHP teaches the warning signs of someone who may be in crisis, socially isolated, or at-risk of hurting themselves or others and how to get help. SHP also advances school safety, youth mental health, and responsible gun ownership at the state and federal levels through nonpartisan policy and partnerships. SHP is 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:
Nick Dmitrovich | [email protected] | 219-552-4258
