Montana Moms Demand Action, Everytown Respond to Fatal Shooting of Sheriff’s Deputy Near Three Forks

MISSOULA, Mont – The Montana chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today responded to a fatal shooting of a police officer early this morning near Three Forks. While details are still unfolding, reports indicate a man shot and killed Broadwater County Sheriff’s Deputy Mason Moore during a traffic stop. The shooting resulted in a chase west on I-90, before the vehicle was stopped near Missoula. As the passenger exited the vehicle, he shot at multiple officers. The suspect was then shot by law enforcement, and the driver was arrested.

According to Everytown research, this is at least the 74th police officer to be shot in the line of duty in the United States so far in 2017, and the 16th police officer to be shot and killed nationwide this year.

In states that require background checks on all handgun guns, 53 percent fewer law enforcement officers are fatally shot in the line of duty. Montana does not require criminal background checks on all gun sales.

Across the country, more than 90 people are killed each day with guns and hundreds more are injured, on average.

STATEMENT FROM PAMELA OWENS, VOLUNTEER WITH THE MONTANA CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:

“It is upsetting and unacceptable that a member of Montana’s law enforcement has been shot and killed in the line of duty. My heart breaks for Deputy Moore’s family and my thoughts are with them. The shooting is a terrible reminder that we must do more to protect our law enforcement and all Montanans and help prevent guns from ending up in the hands of violent people. More than 90 people die and hundreds more are injured every day by gun violence. Elected officials in all levels of government must work harder to find solutions and keep our communities safer.”