Annapolis, MD – In the wake of yet another mass shooting, hundreds of high school students in Montgomery County staged a walk out today and marched to the U.S. Capitol to demand action on gun violence. While these brave students are taking action, Governor Hogan refuses to join them on the frontlines of this fight to enact commonsense gun control measures. Yesterday, even Donald Trump took steps to ban bump stocks and called on Congress to address universal background checks.
Hogan, who has an A-minus rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA), has refused to endorse several commonsense gun violence prevention measures introduced by Democrats this legislative session, including legislation to ban bump stocks, keep guns out of the hands of individuals denied a permit by the State Police, and prohibit convicted domestic abusers from owning weapons.
“I could not be more proud of the bravery and leadership displayed by these students, and Governor Hogan would be wise to take some lessons from them,” said Maryland Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Matthews. “Governor Hogan needs to stop worrying about his A-minus NRA rating, and join our students who are fighting to keep dangerous weapons out of our communities. It is truly shameful that Governor Hogan has refused to support any of the commonsense gun violence prevention measures introduced by Democrats this session.”
Semret Haile, a senior at Richard Montgomery High School issued a warning to Hogan and all Republicans refusing to act to prevent gun violence: “If they don’t want to listen to us right now, that’s okay, because we’re going to vote them out in 2018 and 2020.”
Uriel Zietz, a student at Winston Churchill High School said: “I feel unsafe at school.”
Hannah Smith, a student at Northwood High School said: “It’s ridiculous that we’re so desensitized to this.”