(Long Island, NY) The Board of Directors and Staff of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence are profoundly saddened by the senseless murders of Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos. Prior to traveling to Brookyn, the shooter wounded his ex-girlfriend also with a firearm. Our deepest sympathies are with all the families affected by this latest tragedy. Our city and state has been rocked by so much senseless violence recently, but this event is especially tragic, not just for those personally impacted, but to our collective sense of safety.
The gunman was a dangerous person who reportedly could not legally purchase or possess a firearm due to his criminal record. Reports are that the silver semi-automatic Taurus handgun the shooter used to kill the police officers was purchased in 1996 at a pawn shop in Atlanta – but not by the shooter. As the shooter could not legally possess a firearm, we urge authorities to determine how this dangerous individual acquired the firearm and hold the person or persons that supplied it accountable, as appropriate.
NYAGV remains dedicated to lessening the scourge of gun violence that affects all of us.
New Yorkers Against Gun Violence (www.nyagv.org)
New Yorkers Against Gun Violence is a statewide advocacy group working to reduce gun violence through advocacy and education designed to encourage action, influence public opinion and lead to policy change. With a primary focus on New York State, the organization also advocates at the local and national levels for sensible gun laws, policies and practices that protect New York State residents from gun violence.
