To the editor:

On Thursday, May 13, the largest mass shooting in Providence’s history happened. Nine people were injured, three critically so. I later found out that my younger brother was playing tennis at a park nearby when the shooting occurred.

While it may seem like we are making progress towards solving many of the issues in our society, this shooting is proof that what we are doing to address gun violence is not enough. 

Now is the time to address gun violence, and the best way to reduce gun-related deaths is by passing gun safety legislation. It is long overdue to pass bipartisan gun violence prevention bills at the federal level. We must show that the safety of America's citizens is not supported by one group or party, but rather all policy makers strive for what’s best for the people they represent. 

Right now, we have an opportunity to pass laws that will prevent another, deadlier, mass shooting from happening in Rhode Island. There are 6 gun safety bills that are currently in the judiciary committees and require action to bring them to the Senate and House floors for a vote. I urge readers to reach out to your senators and representatives through email or social media and tell them to pass these bills. 

If we don’t act now, mass shootings will only become more prevalent in our communities. In the past, mass shootings have been met with outrage and solace, but they do not result in legislative action to address the root causes of the violence. Why? What horrible event are people waiting for to finally decide that legal action needs to be taken? Over 20 6-and-7-year-olds and 6 teachers were murdered in the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School 9 years ago, 17 lives of students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School were taken 3 years ago, and 58 concertgoers were killed and over 700 were injured in the largest mass shooting in American history 4 years ago. All of these unspeakable, nightmarish events have happened, and yet lawmakers have not passed these bills to address the violence. Why? What needs to happen to finally sign these bills into law and prevent mass shootings from happening? Rhode Island just had its largest mass shooting in history. If this isn’t enough, what will be?

Caleb Schultz

Barrington