STATEMENT: Captain Mark Kelly on the Yountville, CA Shooting

Washington, D.C. – An armed veteran who had been treated for combat stress opened fire at the  Yountville veterans home  on Friday, killing three people. In response to the shooting, retired United States Navy combat veteran and NASA astronaut Captain Mark Kelly, co-founder of the gun safety group  Giffords , released the following statement:

Captain Mark Kelly

“It’s impossible to get through a week without hearing about another horrific and senseless shooting. This week, it was a distressed veteran who opened fire, killing three people. Despite the growing toll the gun violence crisis is having on our communities, Congress keeps failing to address the problem. They are refusing to find solutions to keep our families safe. Make no mistake, voters are watching and they will hold their lawmakers accountable for this inaction. Americans have never been more aware of our gun violence problem and their demands for solutions have never been louder. Americans have had enough.”

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It was almost exactly one year ago that the United States House of Representatives passed a bill that would make it easier for veterans in distress – including those suffering from severe PTSD, schizophrenia, and dementia – to access firearms. Despite  strong opposition  from some of the nation’s most experienced veterans, the bill (HR 1181)  passed the House on March 16 .

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