Kansas activists call for action after Texas school shooting

TOPEKA, (KSNT)— After a college taking pictures that killed 19 youngsters and a couple of adults in Uvalde, Texas, Kansas activist teams are calling on lawmakers to take motion.

LaTonya Boyd, a Topeka-based volunteer with the state’s Mothers Demand Motion chapter, is hoping lawmakers on the federal and state degree will give attention to passing payments to handle an increase in gun violence. Boyd stated it’s a problem she’s additionally witnessed in her group.

“I really feel the ache that each one of these mother and father are feeling proper now, as a result of I’ve been via that, dropping a toddler to gun violence,” Boyd instructed Kansas Capitol Bureau on Wednesday. “I really feel our elected officers can finish this, or at the very least gradual it down, by taking security measures on individuals getting their fingers on weapons.”

Boyd’s daughter, Tyesha McNair, was shot and killed by the daddy of her kids in 2009, after leaving an abusive relationship. Since then, Boyd has made a number of journeys to the state’s Capitol, urging lawmakers to go gun reform laws.

“It’s irritating after I come right here and nothing actually will get completed,” Boyd stated. “They speak concerning the language of those payments… however what concerning the lives of those girls and youngsters who’re struggling, whereas they’re ready for language to be modified.”

On June 2, Johnson County Mothers Demand Motion volunteers will likely be receiving a proclamation declaring June 3, 2022, as Nationwide Gun Violence Consciousness Day within the county. This comes after a taking pictures happened at a highschool within the space earlier this yr. The taking pictures happened at Olathe East Excessive College in March.

Simply two weeks later, Kansas lawmakers superior an NRA-backed invoice to offer gun security coaching in Ok-12 faculties within the state.

“It’s invoice… It teaches youthful people gun security and what to do if there’s a gun there… go inform somebody…go inform an grownup,” stated Sen. Rob Olson, R-Olathe, who accepted the invoice in committee

Whereas Republicans supported the invoice, some democrats referred to as the transfer “tone deaf.”

“I’ve acquired testimony from extra individuals saying ‘please, cease this invoice… this isn’t the time to have this dialog.” stated Sen. Cindy Holscher, a democrat from Overland Park. “There are many different recommendations on the market…storage of firearms… ensuring that they’re not accessible to kids.”

In accordance with the Johnson County District Lawyer, the shooter used a “ghost gun,” an untraceable firearm that’s normally assembled by the person. It’s what impressed Holscher to sponsor new laws to outlaw ghost weapons within the state. Nonetheless, there was no motion on the invoice this legislative session.

Final yr, lawmakers additionally voted to decrease the state’s hid carry age to 18, which acquired pushback from activists and democrats. Boyd, stated lawmakers ought to take into account elevating the age.

“I don’t assume younger youngsters ought to be messing round with weapons,” Boyd stated. “Our group is just not protected…and it’s our elected official’s job to verify the individuals in Kansas are being taken care of.”