Washington, DC — April 16, 2019 marks the twelfth anniversary of the horrific shooting at Virginia Tech, during which 32 individuals were killed. At the time and for years afterwards, the massacre was the deadliest mass shooting in American history.
Coalition to Stop Gun Violence Virginia State Director Lori Haas issued the following statement:
“I’ll never forget April 16, 2007. It was a horrific day that changed my life — and so many other lives — forever. Twelve years ago today, my daughter was shot and injured in her classroom at Virginia Tech. We were lucky; our daughter survived her injuries. Thirty-two other families were not as fortunate.
“After Virginia Tech, I began working to change gun laws in Virginia and at the federal level, working with grassroots advocates and those whose loved ones had been killed by gun violence. Through my work, I learned more and more about gun violence in all its forms — including day-to-day gun violence and gun suicide.
“Over the last 12 years, our movement has made significant progress. We have developed and advocated for evidence-based policies to identify people who should not own guns. We’ve passed extreme risk laws in 15 states and the District of Columbia. We’ve worked to unmask the National Rifle Association (NRA) as the extremist organization it is and defeat politicians who are aligned with the group.=
“The change we have witnessed since Virginia Tech is notable. It is a testament to the activists and survivors who came together before that day, after that day, and after each subsequent, painful shooting in the years that followed.
“Today, on the anniversary of the Virginia Tech massacre, we reflect on the human cost of gun violence. We acknowledge the work ahead of us. We appreciate the sacrifices of those who have turned their pain into power. And we promise to honor the victims of gun violence with action.” Coalition to Stop Gun Violence Virginia
—Coalition to Stop Gun Violence Virginia State Director Lori Haas
