SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Rep. Jen Schultz (DFL – Duluth) issued the following statement regarding yesterday’s shooting in Uvalde, Texas:
“Everyone deserves to be safe from gun violence in school, while shopping, at work, or anywhere else in their community. In the United States of America, the possibility of elementary school students and teachers being senselessly gunned down should never have to cross our minds. Yet, here we are again, experiencing trauma after a mass shooting in a community that could be anywhere.
“As a parent, it’s heartbreaking to see this unfold, and I deeply feel for those impacted by this tragedy. As a legislator, it’s absolutely enraging to know there are actions we can take to address gun violence, but too many politicians refuse to stand with families in enacting sensible reforms, like stronger background checks and red flag laws, and who instead stand with the gun lobby for their own political convenience.
“Yesterday, a community in Texas experienced an unthinkable loss of life, loss of potential, and loss of innocence. While we send our thoughts for strength and healing down to Uvalde, we have to commit to doing better. Messages of thoughts and prayers from elected officials who could be part of the solution – but who repeatedly refuse to – ring hollow. It’s time to act.”