I am heartbroken and angry. A sunny July 4th, 2022, a day meant to celebrate our nation’s independence, will now always be remembered as one of our area’s darkest days. In a community similar to our own, where we all have friends and loved ones, a monster selfishly used a high-powered weapon of war to shatter the lives, dreams, and sense of security of families simply gathering to attend a parade. As more details come forward about this tragedy, I am devastated for the families of those whose innocent lives that were taken, and those who are still fighting in the hospital due to their injuries. Not to mention, the trauma experienced by all. It is not only unthinkable that someone would commit this atrocity—but also the fact that under our current gun control policy, the shooter was able to legally obtain his weapon.
Let me be clear: Gun safety and gun control reform will be a legislative priority of mine in the upcoming session. I have been a proud advocate for gun safety measures for many years, during my time in both the House and the Senate. While we have passed some of the strictest gun laws in the country, we must do more to keep these deadly weapons out of dangerous hands. It is deplorable that our current laws allow for semi-automatic weapons, like the one used in the shooting, to be so easily accessible.
In the days and weeks ahead, I will have conversations with my colleagues on ways in which we can protect innocent lives from such atrocious acts of violence. Like you, I am heartbroken and grieving for our neighbors, relatives, and friends who have experienced immense trauma and loss over the past few days. I am committed to prioritizing gun safety legislation in Springfield and I will fight to make sure this kind of tragedy never happens again in Illinois.
If you or your loved ones are struggling with trauma, grief, or other mental health challenges following this tragedy, I encourage you to read on for resources to support your mental health.
Mental Health Resources
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