Arkansas Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action Statement on Shooting at Southern Arkansas University

The Arkansas chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, released the following statement today in response to reports that a student was killed and another was wounded in a shooting at Southern Arkansas University early this morning:

“Our hearts are with these students, their families, and the entire Southern Arkansas University community today,” said Jayce Pollard, a volunteer with Students Demand Action at Conway High West. “We’re going back to campus with plenty to worry about – classes, courses, and keeping safe from the coronavirus. Thanks to our lax gun laws, we have to worry about gun violence, too.”

“Today’s news is a tragic reminder of how pervasive gun violence is,” said Jessica Scott, a volunteer with Arkansas Moms Demand Action. “We’ll honor their lives with action to end gun violence on our campuses and in our state.” 

Arkansas law requires colleges to allow certain members of the public to carry concealed, loaded firearms on campus. In an average year, 549 people die by guns in Arkansas, the ninth highest rate of gun deaths in the country.