FAIRFAX, Va., April 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Million Mom March
(MMM) Chapters of Virginia united with the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun
Violence join the nation in grieving for the families of the victims of the
worst mass shooting in American history.
"This tragedy at Virginia Tech affects us all," says Terry Hartnett,
president of the Million Mom March of Northern Virginia. "It is such a
heartbreaking commentary on American values. Money from special interest
groups opposed to sensible gun-safety legislation seems to motivate our
legislators more than the opportunity to make our universities, our local
schools and streets safer for our children. We need some serious soul-
searching by our elected officials," she says.
The four Virginia chapters of the Million Mom March have been
advocating for tougher gun-safety legislation in Virginia since the
national group was formed in 2000. During the past legislative session, the
Million Mom March chapters joined other gun safety groups in urging the
Legislature to close the loophole in state law that effectively allows
anyone to buy a gun from an unlicensed dealer at a Virginia gun show
without having to go through a criminal background check. Like many other
sensible gun safety bills introduced in the past seven years, the measure
did not pass.
"It is far too easy for people to get their hands on dangerous weapons
in this state," says June Hazelhurst, president of the Richmond Chapter of
the Million Mom March. "And the stakes are so much higher now that the
federal Assault Weapons Ban has expired and criminals can get their hands
on virtually any type of gun."
Law enforcement officials do not know if the weapon used in today's
shooting was an assault weapon that would have been banned under this
federal law. "One thing is certain -- the VA Tech shooter had to have
extraordinary fire power to do what he did," says Jennifer Bergin,
president of the Charlottesville MMM Chapter.
"As mothers, our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the
victims," says Lorraine Price, president of the Hampton Roads MMM Chapter.
Recalling the horror of Columbine High School that will be marked later
this week, Price added, "It is totally unconscionable that nothing has been
done in seven years to prevent another tragedy like this."
CONTACT:
Terry Hartnett
Million Mom March of Northern Virginia
(703) 250-7817
SOURCE Million Mom March Chapters of Virginia
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Related links:
http://www.bradycampaign.org
CONTACT:
Terry Hartnett of the Million Mom March of
Northern Virginia, +1-703-250-7817
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