By now, we’ve grown tired of the limited refrain offering “thoughts and prayers” to the victims and survivors of yet another school shooting. The vow to ‘never again allow this’ begins to ring hollow as the increased frequency of school shootings pierce our national consciousness once again. Some may struggle to remember, but educators can never forget.
Since the start of 2023 there have been more than 60 mass shootings in our country. AFT-Maryland proudly supports President Randi Weingarten’s call for a ban on assault weapons. We also echo the call for common sense gun legislation. We believe this will reduce the number of guns in the hands of some of the most dangerous people in our country and ultimately save lives. The U.S. cannot bask in the claim of greatness as a nation when we allow our students to be shot dead while seeking an education. Locally, the stinging pain of gun violence is with us as the uptick in youth victims of gun violence in Baltimore leaves us working for solutions.
AFT-Maryland will continue to support legislation that removes dangerous weapons from our communities, while also supporting those working to interrupt gun violence before it fatally strikes. Our hearts are with all those grieving the chilling effects of gun violence on their families and classrooms, and every community looking to put the pieces back together in the wake of yet another tragedy of violence.
2023-02-16