Washington, DC
Congressman Richard E. Neal released the following statement today after 17 people were killed and dozens more wounded in a mass shooting in a South Florida high school. It is the deadliest school in the United States since the 2012 rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.
“My heart breaks for the families who lost loved ones in the senseless violence that occurred yesterday at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. With 17 people killed and dozens injured, it is the deadliest school shooting since the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Even more troubling, it is the 18th school shooting to take place in the United States during the first 45 days of this year.
As a father and a grandfather, I don’t think parents should have to worry about the safety of their children when they drop them off at school in the morning. And like the vast majority of Americans, I strongly support universal background checks for all gun purchases. The time for Congress to pass common sense gun legislation that will strengthen and improve our federal background check system is long overdue. It is still far too easy for people to buy a gun in this country, particularly those with criminal backgrounds and individuals with a history of mental illness. I believe stronger federal background checks for all gun purchases will help prevent the next tragedy from happening.”
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