Georgia Moms, Everytown Respond to Suwanee Domestic-Violence Related Shooting that Killed Three, Including Two Children

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Georgia chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today released the following statement in response to a shooting that occurred on Wednesday morning in a Suwanee home in which a gunman shot and killed three people, including his girlfriend and her two children, and injured one other before shooting and killing himself. The shooting victims include Rebecca Manning, 37, her 9-year-old son, Jacob Smith; and her 8-year-old son, Jared Smith. The gunman also shot and injured Manning’s 75-year-old father, Jerry Manning, who is currently in critical condition. The gunman had two previous criminal convictions that likely prohibited him from buying and possessing firearms.

STATEMENT FROM LINDSEY FREE-DONOVAN, A VOLUNTEER LEADER FOR THE GEORGIA CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION:

“First and foremost, our thoughts are with the families of the victims and the man who is currently fighting for his life. While the details are still unfolding, yesterday’s tragic shooting took the lives of three people—including children—and injured another by a single act of gun violence. This incident is yet another reminder of our nation’s devastating toll of gun violence that kills 88 Americans everyday and injures hundreds more. It’s time our elected leaders stand up for the safety of Georgians and do more to keep guns out of dangerous hands.”

Key Findings from Everytown’s Research on Guns and Domestic Violence:

• The presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation makes it five times more likely that the woman will be killed.
  
• In states that require background checks on all handgun sales, 46 percent fewer women are shot to death by their intimate partners.
  
• Women in the U.S. are 11 times more likely to be murdered with guns than they are in any other developed nation.