OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement in response to the shooting at Rose State College on Monday. Reporting shows that at least one person was shot and killed and the shooter is in custody.
“We send our kids to college for a brighter future, not to have their lives cut short,” said Beth Furnish, a volunteer with the Oklahoma chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Oklahoma lawmakers have the power to save lives, yet are actively choosing to further endanger Oklahomans with weak gun laws. We will continue to demand progress so that getting a degree isn’t a matter of life or death for our children.”
Oklahoma has the 13th highest rate of gun deaths in the United States and has some of the weakest gun laws in the country. Instead of further weakening the state’s gun laws, lawmakers should pass policies that will protect communities such as repealing its recently enacted permitless carry law and passing an Extreme Risk law that would empower loved ones or law enforcement to intervene to temporarily prevent someone in crisis from accessing firearms. Midwest City Police Chief Sid Porter said the shooting appeared to be “domestic-related,” – Oklahoma lawmakers have the ability to prohibit domestic abusers from possessing firearms, and their inaction has lethal consequences.
In an average year, 766 people are killed by guns in Oklahoma, with a 31% increase from 2012 to 2021. Gun violence costs Oklahomans around $10.3 billion each year. More information about gun violence in Oklahoma is available here.
If you are interested in speaking with an Oklahoma Moms Demand Action or Students Demand volunteer, or a policy expert please reach out to [email protected].
