STATEMENT: Colorado Gun Owners for Safety And Survivors On Horrific Mass Shooting in Boulder, Colorado
Washington, DC — Members of the Colorado Gun Owners for Safety Group and the parents of a woman whose life was lost in the Aurora movie theater shooting, reacted to yesterday’s mass shooting at a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado that claimed the lives of 10 including a police officer. The incident took place just a week after a deadly mass shooting that claimed the lives of eight people at three metro Atlanta massage parlors.
Giffords Gun Owners for Safety Colorado Chapter:
“We are heartbroken and angry about the horrific tragedy that occured in Boulder last night. Our group is made up of responsible gun owners from across Colorado who know that we need stronger gun laws. We were the first chapter of Giffords Gun Owners for Safety and have worked with lawmakers to promote responsible gun ownership and pass laws, but we know there is more we need to do.”
Vic Bencomo, Giffords Gun Owner for Safety, Colorado Chapter:
“Time and time again, our great state, and cities and communities across the country, have had to face devastating levels of gun violence. As a combat veteran, gun owner, and father I like to think I understand what it means to be a patriot. I supported and defended the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. I cannot stomach the fact that more Americans have died of gun violence in the United States than in Afghanistan and Iraq combined and after the tragedy at the King Soopers in Boulder last night, where 10 people were killed including Officer Talley, a father like me, I am urging elected officials to do their part to protect American families too.”
Ian Gaskins, Giffords Gun Owner for Safety, Colorado Chapter:
“Growing up outside Boulder and attending the University of Colorado-Boulder, I have become all too familiar with school shooting drills in preparation for a real mass shooting at school or elsewhere. Another one of these tragedies has ravaged my community, leaving me heartbroken and frustrated. I am a youth activist and former Giffords Courage Fellow committed to ending gun violence, but I am also a gun owner who knows that our country needs stronger gun laws.”
Sandy and Lonnie Phillips, Survivors Empowered:
“Nearly nine years ago, we lost our daughter in the Aurora movie theater shooting. Since then we’ve traveled the country and met hundreds of other survivors who also lost a loved one to gun violence. Our backgrounds and our stories are different, but we all share one thing in common—we know the pain and ongoing heartache of gun violence. We know the survivors of this shooting will need long term help and services, and we MUST address the issue of gun violence in our country and end the carnage. Colorado deserves better, survivors deserve better, and America deserves better.”
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