WASHINGTON, DC – Today, after multiple children and at least one teacher were killed and injured in a shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) issued the following statement:

“Innocent lives were taken and many more shattered by this senseless slaughter.  The loss of life is devastating and the heartbreak that the parents, children, educators, and people of Uvalde are feeling right now is unfathomable.  We want them to know we are with them. 

“This was another preventable mass-shooting. When will my colleagues on the Republican side provide some votes to protect America’s kids?  Columbine, Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook, Parkland and too many others.  It is sickening and it happens because no one on the other side of the aisle is willing to step up and even try to stop it by strengthening background checks and other commonsense measures.  And I fear this overly partisan Supreme Court is about to take aim at laws limiting the amounts and types of guns on our streets.

“Nothing will ever bring back the innocent students and teachers who were mass-murdered by gunmen.  But Congress must act to prevent future violence.  I hope more Republicans get the courage to stand up to the National Rifle Association.”