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Failed gun bill was a disappointment
As a mother, retired teacher and long-time resident of Albuquerque, the fact that New Mexico has the third highest rate of gun deaths worries me deeply.
This isn’t a coincidence. Our state hasn’t done enough to address gun suicide nor restrict the accessibility to the weapons of choice for mass shooters. It feels like just yesterday we were waking up to the news of a shooting in Farmington in 2023.
Back then lawmakers promised to do something about gun violence — and though we have made great progress, assault weapons are still for sale and our gun death rates are still too high.
Last month, we woke up once again to a mass shooting in Las Cruces. Though an assault weapon was not used, it’s clear that one being there would have escalated the situation even worse, taking more lives and leaving behind more bloodshed.
It is imperative that our state Legislature support the proposal of the GOSAFE Act, which will prevent mass shootings by prohibiting the sale, transfer and receipt of gas-operated semi-automatic rifles and large-capacity magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.
I will always remember the fear in my students’ voices when we would have mass shooter drills. Please, let’s put the onus of stopping the scourge of mass shootings on adults who have the power to pass this bill. Young people are counting on us all to protect them. Write or call your state lawmakers to let them know that you support this bill.
Thank you,
Cheryl Haase
Albuquerque
