AFT President Randi Weingarten Calls Colorado and New Mexico Shootings Tragic, Renews Call to Action on Gun Safety

WASHINGTON—American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten issued the follow statement after shootings at an LGBTQIA+ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colo., left five dead and 25 injured, and at the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque that killed one student and injured another:

“Hatred and guns are a toxic combination. We must get weapons of war out of our communities and off our streets, and protect our most vulnerable so they can feel safe and live free from the never-ending threat of gun violence. This crisis continues to attack the core of our humanity, and our hearts break for every victim, family, friend and loved one affected by this horrific and senseless violence, particularly today, which is the Transgender Day of Remembrance.  

“And while these two shootings are the ones we’ve heard about, on any given day in this country, more than 100 lives are lost to gun violence. This madness must stop, and we must commit to expanding and building on the commonsense gun safety reforms of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act that a majority of Americans—including gun owners—support, including a ban on high-capacity magazines and military-grade assault rifles.”