OPINION: Vermont’s top elected officials on the Uvalde, Texas, school murders
May 27, 2022On Tuesday, May 24, the world absorbed the news from Uvalde, Texas, where an 18-year-old murdered 19 students and two teachers and wounded many others at Robb Elementary School.
The horrific assault on a school puts the issue of mass-shootings at the forefront of public discourse across the United States.
In Vermont, there were reports of authorities responding to threats at at least three high schools in a little over a week.
Below are statements from Vermont’s top elected officials issued the day following the mass shooting.
GOV. PHIL SCOTT
Gov. Phil Scott, file photo by Glenn Russell
“Our hearts are shattered for the 19 families whose children did not come home last night, and the loved ones of two brave educators. I’ve struggled to find the words to share in response to the horrible, gut-wrenching tragedy in Uvalde because we’ve gotten to a point where words are not enough. It’s time for us to come together as a nation to better protect the most innocent among us – our kids. In Vermont, we showed you can take meaningful action on common sense gun safety measures to protect our citizens – upholding both their safety and their rights. It’s time for the federal government to take similar action. My heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy go to the grieving families and the entire community suffering unimaginable pain.”
Gov. Scott, a Republican, is seeking another term in this year’s election.
LT. GOV. MOLLY GRAY
Lt. Gov. Molly Gray, file photo
“Once again, I am heartbroken by a senseless act of gun violence. Nineteen children and two teachers – have been murdered while at school in Uvalde, Texas.
It calls to mind the Sandy Hook shooting. Nearly ten years have passed since that tragedy.
In those ten years, Vermont has taken steps to reform our gun laws – we've raised the gun purchase age to 21, expanded background checks, limited the capacity of magazines, and banned guns from hospitals. Still, much more must be done to prevent senseless acts of violence like today’s shooting.
At the national level, America has failed to act. Stronger laws must be enacted across the nation in order to provide our schools, grocery stores, concerts, businesses, and places of worship the greatest possible protection from gun violence.
As the stepmother to two school-aged children, I cannot fathom what the families of the victims are going through tonight. My deepest condolences are with the Uvalde community.”
Lt. Gov. Gray is a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Vermont’s lone seat in the U.S. House.
SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE BECCA BALINT
Sen. Becca Balint, file photo
“I didn’t sleep last night. I kept thinking: What kind of nation are we when we watch our school children get gunned down and do nothing about it? Littleton, Red Lake, Newtown, Pittsburg, Parkland, Buffalo, Uvalde and too many other communities. We should do more than feel sickened and outraged by it all.
Today, grieve for those beautiful humans killed in yet another depraved massacre, but tomorrow I am asking all of us to organize and MARCH and DEMAND change. It is the very least we can do for all those devastated families.
We don’t have to live with these horrors. The slaughter of our children is not the price we have to pay for freedom.
This is a man-made epidemic and we cannot pretend that the answer is out of reach.
Americans overwhelmingly support criminal background checks and other sensible gun laws. We want change. We have wanted change for years, but Congress refuses to act. Comprehensive gun safety legislation must be brought to the floor of the House for a vote. Let parents of school children know where every single member stands. The Senate must end the filibuster, then expand background checks and waiting periods for people who do not pass a background check. The Senators protecting a centuries old procedural rule— as our children are murdered—are betraying their oath to protect and serve the American people.
I have seen the power of parents when they demand change, I have seen high school students speak with righteous anger and brilliance and move mountains. Here in Vermont I have been part of the collective force to change gun laws in the face of empty rhetoric and we have saved lives. We must take every legal measure available to us to stop the murder of our children.”
Sen. Balint, D-Windham, is a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Vermont’s lone seat in the U.S. House.
HOUSE SPEAKER JILL KROWINSKI
Rep. Jill Krowinski, courtesy photo
“After taking time to reflect on the 19 children and two teachers who were senselessly murdered in their classrooms yesterday, still no words can describe the anguish I feel for the Uvalde community. Parents and families sent their kids off to school, like millions of families do every day, never expecting to receive the most horrific news of their lives. And why should they? Parents should not be afraid to send their children to school. Children should not be afraid to go to school. And teachers should not have to wonder if they’ll need to protect their students from a gunman wearing body armor and carrying an assault rifle.
We are 20 weeks into 2022 and have already witnessed 27 school shootings across the country. The total for 2021 was 34. This is sickening. And while elected leaders across the country offer thoughts and prayers, in the coming days and weeks many will continue to push the powerful gun lobby’s agenda.
We certainly are not perfect in Vermont. This year, we passed legislation to expand the waiting period for background checks, ban firearms in hospitals, and allow health care providers to alert law enforcement and to seek an emergency risk protection order for a person that poses a threat to themselves or others. But we still have much work to do. This summer and fall I am focused on getting members elected that will support these efforts, and I will use the coming months to develop a legislative agenda that’s ready to go at the beginning of our session next January.
In Congress, 50 U.S. Senators are standing in the way of a bipartisan bill that would make a significant difference by expanding background checks to all firearm sales and closing the online and gun show sales loopholes. This firearm safety legislation is long overdue. But there’s little hope it won’t be sidetracked — again.
To the entire Uvalde community: We mourn this unfathomable loss. No words can bring back your loved ones, but please know that some of us will not let this incident fade into history. We will take action in their names, and in the names of all the innocent Americans killed before them, in the hope that we can prevent tragedies like this from happening in the future.”
Rep. Krowinski, D-Burlington, is seeking re-election this year.