Governor Murphy Sounds Off on Latest Gun Violence
Like many people across the country, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy was horrified by the horrendous news coming out of Texas regarding a mass shooting at Uvalde Elementary School that left 21 people dead — 19 of them were children, two were adults.
On the governor’s website, the following statement by Governor Murphy was posted: “Today, in the wake of last week’s shooting in Buffalo, yet another horrific and unacceptable act of gun violence took the lives of 14 innocent children at an elementary school in Texas. As a father, my heart is broken for the families who are reeling from this senseless, horrific tragedy. There is no greater responsibility than protecting our children – and our nation is failing this most basic test.
“The American people are waiting in exasperation and terror as members of Congress sit on their hands rather than pass nationwide gun safety legislation. And the U.S. Senate needs to confirm Steve Dettelbach without delay as Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms to ensure that the federal agency tasked with enforcing our nation’s gun laws has the strong leadership it needs to keep guns out of the wrong hands.”
While there are no credible threats, @NewJerseyOAG has directed law enforcement to increase their presence at schools throughout New Jersey effective immediately. The @NJSP will increase their presence at the schools where Troopers are the primary law enforcement.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) May 25, 2022
This legislation will not only make it harder for guns to fall into the wrong hands, but will also give law enforcement greater tools to protect communities – including our children – from gun violence.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) May 24, 2022
Let us not delay even one day more.
“I introduced a comprehensive gun safety 3.0 package over a year ago and this moment demands that our Legislature finally take action. This legislation will not only make it harder for guns to fall into the wrong hands, but will also give law enforcement greater tools to protect communities – including our children – from gun violence.
“Let us not delay even one day more.”
Governor Murphy also shared a video of Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr condemning the lack of gun control legislation in the nation.
“We can’t get numb to this. We can’t sit here and just read about it and go ‘Well, let’s have a moment of silence.’”
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) May 25, 2022
Listen to @SteveKerr. We’ve had enough. It’s time for Congress to pass commonsense gun safety laws.
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According to NJ.com, the state will beef up police security at school districts throughout the state. Acting Attorney General Matthew Platkin said he directed the state police and 21 county prosecutors to increase police presence at all schools.
“Our students, their families and caregivers, teachers, and school administrators should feel safe in school, and be assured that New Jersey’s law enforcement agencies will do everything in their power to protect them,” Platkin said in a statement.
