Moms Demand Action petitions Sen. Blunt for tighter gun control
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Deadly mass shootings have rocked the nation and it's pushing organizations to take action in their own hands by demanding tighter gun control.
Moms Demand Action, went to Senator Blunt's Columbia office Wednesday to drop off petitions that relate to regulating firearms. The group tells ABC 17 News now is the time to take action, and they'll keep fighting for stricter gun laws until their voices are heard.
"We know this is a marathon there is you know going to be a lot more work after this. And we're committed to doing that work and showing up but this is an important first step," said Kristen Bowen, one of the deputy chapter leaders for Missouri Moms Demand Action.
Less than two weeks after a deadly mass shooting at an elementary school in Texas, people nationwide say they've had enough and it's time to take action.
"We are grieving in Columbia, and we are grieving across the state of Missouri for the families in Uvalde and the families in Buffalo," said Bowen.
Moms Demand Action says "gun laws save lives", which is why the group made their way to Senator Blunt's Columbia office Wednesday afternoon, to deliver a petition which would set stricter gun laws nationwide.
"We know that the nation is listening right now. After the horrific shooting in Uvalde and Buffalo and in other parts of our country. This conversation is being had across kitchen tables, across Missouri, and we want our senator to hear from us," said Bowen.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Missouri has the fourth-highest rate of gun deaths in the U.S., and nearly 1,500 people died from firearms in 2020.
ABC 17 reached out to Blunt's office this morning to get his views on stricter gun violence laws in Missouri.
In response, Senator Blunt said in an email, "I would be open to looking at the possibility of a red flag law to keep weapons out of the hands of people who pose an imminent threat to themselves or others. I have supported legislation that was signed into law to strengthen the National Instant Criminal Background Check System and would be open to considering further changes that are needed and have bipartisan support. I look forward to reviewing any proposals that come out of the bipartisan talks."
