Akron mass shooting highlights need to invest in and prioritize gun violence prevention in Ohio

AKRON, OH — Today, Everytown for Gun Safety and its local network, Moms Demand Action, released the following statement in response to Sunday morning's fatal shooting, which left one person shot and killed and 24 others injured. According to police information, gunfire broke out Saturday evening during a birthday party bringing together more than 200 people. The shots appeared to come from a drive-by shooting.

“Once again we are seeing celebrations turn deadly. Gun violence impacts our communities everywhere – from our schools to our movie theaters to parades, and now even birthday parties don't feel safe,” said Joyce Penfield, Moms Demand Action Ohio Chapter volunteer“This is the reality created by Ohio lawmakers who continue to put the gun lobby above the lives of their constituents. Our lawmakers must take decisive, common-sense action to protect our children and our communities.

Shootings at festive events have unfortunately become commonplace in America. This year alone, gun violence has shut down graduation celebrations, parades, religious observances, parties and more. This phenomenon is the result of the extremist shooting culture first created by the gun lobby's “guns everywhere” agenda. Common-sense gun safety laws like secure gun storage, keeping guns out of sensitive locations, and keeping guns out of the wrong hands are just a few solutions to help prevent gun violence from harming communities.

Ohio lawmakers must properly fund and support community violence intervention (CVI) programs. These programs apply an effective, localized approach to gun violence prevention in communities disproportionately affected by gun violence. CVI programs play a crucial role in combating community violence, which affects all levels of the socio-economic spectrum. Injuries resulting from gun violence are estimated to cost approximately $557 billion annually and come at the cost of community safety and the well-being of our children and families.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, in Ohio there were at least 10 shootings over the weekend, leaving at least seven people dead by gunfire and at least 33 people injured by gunfire. In an average year, 1,728 people die and 3,526 people are injured by firearms in Ohio. This is a result of Ohio's incredibly weak gun laws, scoring just 13 out of 100 for the strength of gun laws in the country.

Despite the state's gun homicide rate increasing over the past decade, higher than the increase nationally, state lawmakers recently passed a dangerous “Shoot” law. first,” encouraging violence and vigilance in public – and eliminating the requirement that a person obtain a license and safety training before operating a vehicle. a weapon concealed in public. Ohio also recently passed a dangerous law that allows elementary and secondary schools to arm teachers.

Learn more about gun violence in Ohio here.