WASHINGTON– Yesterday, one person was killed and more than 20 people were injured in a mass shooting in Kansas City, and four students were shot at an Atlanta high school. Missouri and Georgia have Republican majorities in their state legislatures who have refused to take action to address the senseless gun violence epidemic. Yesterday’s tragic shootings are a chilling reminder of the consequences of state Republicans’ inaction.
On the flip side, when Democrats get majorities, new gun violence prevention measures are implemented. In Michigan, the Democratic trifecta elected in 2022 passed three new gun violence prevention measures into law. In Minnesota, where a new Democratic trifecta was also elected in 2022, the legislature passed a new “red-flag” law.
State legislatures shape gun policies that most affect people’s everyday lives. Unfortunately, residents in states where Republicans hold power face a deadlier reality. DLCC research shows that nine of the 10 states with the highest gun death rates are controlled by GOP legislatures. By contrast, Democratic trifectas control eight of the 10 states with the lowest gun death rates.
The first step to making our country safer is electing leaders who will take this issue seriously, and Republican-controlled legislatures have continuously blocked common-sense measures to keep people safe. Despite devastating mass shootings in our communities, Republican lawmakers continue to be beholden to the gun lobby.
From blocking widely supported background checks and common-sense assault weapons bans, to advocating for arming teachers in schools, Republicans are making our communities less safe. Electing Democrats to state legislatures across the country is essential to address this epidemic that has taken far too many of our loved ones.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Communications Director Abhi Rahman issued the following statement:
“Gun violence is a grim, uniquely American epidemic. Our hearts go out to the families whose loved ones were impacted by yesterday’s tragic shootings in Kansas City and Atlanta. Sadly, they join a long list of victims of gun violence in our country. We cannot allow these senseless massacres to continue – state legislatures are where important gun legislation is being debated and policy is being decided. Unfortunately, state Republicans across the country have shown how ill-equipped and unwilling they are to take common-sense, life-saving action. We must elect Democrats to state legislatures who are committed to making our communities safer through sensible gun reform. The numbers are clear: Democratic trifectas lead to common-sense policies that lower rates of gun violence deaths, while Republicans’ policies have the opposite effects. We can build a safer tomorrow through our state legislatures.”
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the official Democratic Party committee dedicated to winning America’s state legislatures and building state infrastructure. Over the last decade, we have fought cycle-over-cycle to gain a dozen new legislative chamber majorities and we are leading the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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