Newtown community calls for tighter gun laws on National Gun Violence Awareness Day
The Newtown Action Alliance says from Dec. 14 2012, when the Sandy Hook shooting happened, to Dec. 14 2023, more than 1.1 million Americans will lose their lives or get injured by guns in America.
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The Newtown community gathered Friday as it does every year on National Gun Violence Awareness Day.
People came out in orange and gathered at the steps of Edmond Town Hall and marched to Newtown Middle School.
Various speakers took to the podium demanding action on gun violence prevention.
The Newtown Action Alliance says from Dec. 14 2012, when the Sandy Hook shooting happened, to Dec. 14 2023, more than 1.1 million Americans will lose their lives or get injured by guns in America.
This is the ninth annual event where people push for gun law reforms. This year, young residents led the #wearorangemarch.
They say showing up and speaking out is important because they have witnessed firsthand what gun violence has done to their community following the tragic Sandy Hook shooting.
"I have so many friends who went to Sandy Hook who have been greatly impacted by this and I don't want them to have to hurt anymore or I don't want anyone else for the way they do," said Leah Crebbin, co-chair of Newtown Action Alliance.
Survivors of the Sandy Hook shooting were there demanding for change.
"The only reason that I'm standing here today speaking out is because I was too close to the gunman and the tip of his gun was too near to me that he couldn't get a shot," said Emma Ehrens.
"Seeing that it is unfortunately on the rise and seeing other kids going through the same thing, it's just tragic and I feel like we should do anything that we can to help out with it," said Grace Fisher.
People at the march were pushing for a bill to be passed at the state Capitol that would strengthen safe storage laws, put regulations on ghost guns and close gaps in the current assault weapons ban.
