Lexington’s courthouse plaza was the site Friday where speakers talked about firearm concerns. They were drawing attention to National Gun Violence Awareness Day.
“We need to get together as a community, find these children because it starts down here.”
Sharon Reed with House of Prayer held her hand about two feet off the ground. She said some children fend for themselves with one or two parents working to put food on the table.
Kathy Crowe with Moms Demand Action said deaths caused by gun violence in children and teens exceed those related to vehicle crashes. Crowe participated in the rally. She says Kentucky ranks 14th nationally in gun deaths. Crowe said studies show 120 Americans die from gun violence daily.
“Other developed countries, they’ve got violent video games. They’ve got movies. Mental health problems. Socio-economic problems. But, they do not have 120 people dying of gun violence every day,” said Crowe.
Lexington Senator Reggie Thomas plans to file legislation providing each county the ability to regulate the availability of guns.
“What we’ve seen over and over again here in Lexington and in Louisville is that urban areas have different issues regarding gun violence than rural issues,” said Thomas.
Thomas said he would also push for the crisis aversion and rights retention order. That would allow for considering the removal of guns from individuals suffering from significant mental stress who pose a threat to themselves or others.
