State Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn (D-Fishers) hosted a Sandy Hook Remembrance Day event at the Indiana Statehouse on Friday to honor victims of school shootings and to call for stronger gun safety laws aimed at protecting children.
The event was held ahead of the 13th anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, which took place Dec. 14, 2012, and claimed the lives of 20 children and six educators. Lawmakers, gun violence prevention advocates, faith leaders and community members attended the gathering, which focused on remembrance and prevention.
Garcia Wilburn said the event served both as a memorial and a call to action, noting that gun violence involving children has continued in the years since Sandy Hook. She criticized recent changes in Indiana law that eliminated permit requirements to carry handguns, arguing that the policy has increased the risk of firearms falling into the wrong hands.
The program included remarks from elected officials and advocates, musical performances, and multi-faith prayers. Attendees were also able to connect with gun violence prevention organizations. In addition, the event featured a children’s shoe drive benefiting Grace Care Center, held in memory of children who have died as a result of gun violence.
Statistics from the gun safety organization Everytown for Gun Safety were cited during the event, indicating that more than 4.6 million children nationwide live in homes with at least one loaded and unlocked firearm. The organization also reports that nearly 360 children unintentionally shoot themselves or another person each year.
Advocates at the event pointed to research showing that safe storage laws, which require firearms to be secured and kept inaccessible to children, can significantly reduce unintentional shootings, youth suicides and school shootings.
Garcia Wilburn said she believes Indiana can uphold Second Amendment rights while also adopting policies that improve public safety, and urged lawmakers to pursue what she described as common-sense gun legislation to help prevent future tragedies.