U.S. Conference of Mayors President Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake Responds to Mass Shooting at Umpqua Community College

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Oct 02, 2015, 12:51 ET

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. Conference of Mayors President Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake today issued the following statement in response to yesterday's mass shooting at Umpqua Community College:

"Once again the nation's mayors send their condolences to the families of the victims of a senseless mass shooting. Yesterday's murder of nine innocent individuals and wounding of at least 10 others at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon is a tragedy for the victims and their families, for the entire Roseburg community, and for the nation.

"Once again we see that no area in this nation is immune to gun violence. We see too many high-profile events like this one and too many other shootings in our cities that take the lives of innocent victims. Indeed, yesterday's shooting is the 294^th mass shooting in America during 2015. That is a shocking statistic that should spark action in Congress to strengthen our federal gun laws, but sadly, it probably won't.

"And once again we are hearing that a heavily armed, disaffected individual, possibly motivated by prejudice and hate, is responsible for this horrific act.

"What will it take for Congress to strengthen our federal gun laws to reduce the proliferation of illegal guns on our streets and keep guns away from people who will use them to harm others?

"What will it take for our nation to strengthen its mental health and social service systems so that we can identify troubled people earlier and get them the help they need to avoid such tragic events from occurring?

"What will it take to reduce the prejudice and racism that exist in this nation?

"Congress's failure to act in response to year after year of mass shootings is incomprehensible, and it is inexcusable. We must not wait for another deadly tragedy to occur. Once again, we send our thoughts and prayers to the victims of another mass shooting. And once again, we demand that Congress take immediate action."

About The United States Conference of Mayors -- The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are nearly 1,400 such cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/usmayors, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/usmayors.

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SOURCE The U.S. Conference of Mayors