Local and state officials gathered in a small room Friday at Pima County’s historic courthouse to create a hive mind in addressing gun violence here and across the state.
In attendance were Democrats State Rep. Nancy Gutierrez, Pima County Attorney Laura Conover and Pima County Supervisor Rex Scott. Joining them were dozens of residents and community activists hoping to hear what state officials are doing to try to tighten gun laws and create ways local officials can curb violence in their own districts.
Gutierrez, who works as a Tucson High Magnet School teacher as well as state representative, said she sees the impact gun violence is having on students and teachers alike. In fact, it’s the No. 1 cause of death for children ages 15-17 in Arizona, she noted.
“I don’t consider myself a survivor,” she said. “But I’m definitely adjacent to it.”
Gutierrez vowed she will not rest until these laws are passed. “I’m not going to go back and tell my students I did nothing.”
Scott agreed, adding that while the legislator, in the political minority at the GOP-controlled Legislature probably won’t pass such laws, the move is to put the bills out there and let the public “know who is standing in the way of common sense laws moving forward.”
He said 71% of Arizona residents surveyed would welcome common sense gun laws moving forward. Proposed laws would include red flag laws, which would flag gun owners who have threatened harm to oneself or others, as well as keeping guns out of the hands of other prohibited possessors.
Rex’s office said updated laws would address gun violence by giving local governments greater flexibility, protecting educational institutions from threats, and keeping weapons out of the hands of prohibited possessors.
For Gutierrez, it’s about reaching across the aisle and working with Republicans to promote such laws.
“We have to at least put it out there,” Scott said. “… We need to take these steps in order to move forward.”
