New statewide organization to explore ballot initiative to prevent gun violence – ABC 12 News

OXFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WJRT) - A new statewide organization is urging Michigan lawmakers to pass legislation aimed at curbing gun violence or else they'll be taking matters into their own hands.

The announcement from End Gun Violence Michigan comes on a somber day in U.S. history. Monday marked four years since 17 people were shot and killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.

The group is a broad coalition of church leaders from across the state. The group is also comprised of several mothers who lost their kids to gun violence, along with an Oxford High School student.

They all say enough is enough.

"I heard shouting in the hallway outside my classroom. I was handed textbooks to try and counter the shooter if he got past the locked doors and barricaded desks," said Kiley Myrand, a junior at Oxford High School.

She recounts the terrifying moments of what happened at her school on Nov. 30. She and several other leaders are from End Gun Violence Michigan. They're sending a message to our state lawmakers that it's time to take action on inaction.

"As a survivor and a mourning 16-year-old girl, something needs to change now. I personally believe the first step in this difficult battle is safe storage gun laws. Change must happen," Myrand said.

It's a thought that is echoed by Mia Reid, who lost her son to gun violence.

"There are many policies to protect our community that so far, the legislature has refused to even take a vote on; measures like universal background checks and safe storage laws to prevent children from accessing firearms, that's common sense," Reid said.

Sherri Scott lost her daughter after she was murdered protecting her own children from gunfire in a park.

"When you go to the park, you go there to enjoy your life, not have your life taken away. This gun violence has to stop," Scott said.

The committee respects people's rights under the Second Amendment, but they want to see more common sense safeguards in place that will protect people.

This is why they're urging lawmakers to act. If they don't, they will explore the possibility of a ballot initiative in 2024.

More information can be found at http://www.endgunviolencemichigan.org

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New statewide organization to explore ballot initiative to prevent gun violence - ABC 12 News