1. United States
2. Neb.
3. Letter

From April 2007 to August 2025, 613 people have been killed in mass shootings carried out with legally purchased semi-automatic firearms. This staggering number excludes additional fatalities from 24 active shooter incidents in 2024, as reported by the FBI, where weapon legality was not specified. These weapons—AR-15-style rifles, AK-style semi-autos, and high-capacity handguns—were not acquired through loopholes or illegal means. They were bought legally, often with minimal oversight, and used to commit some of thedeadliest acts of violence in modern U.S. history. The Human Cost: * Las Vegas (2017): 60 killed, 867 injured. * Orlando (2016): 49 killed, 68 injured. * Sandy Hook (2012): 27 killed, including 20 children. * Uvalde (2022): 21 killed, 18 injured—mostly children. * Parkland (2018): 17 killed, 17 injured—mostly students. These are not isolated tragedies. They are part of a pattern—a pattern enabled by the legal availability of weapons designed for rapid, high-volume killing. Children Are Dying: Nearly 24% of all fatalities in these shootings were minor children. These are sons and daughters, students and siblings, whose lives were stolen in classrooms, churches, and community events. Children also accounted for 6% of injuries, many of whom will carry physical and emotional scars for life. According to Stanford’s SIEPR, surviving a school shooting leads to long-term mental health issues, educational setbacks, and reduced lifetime earnings. The trauma doesn’t end when the shooting stops—it echoes for decades. The Data Is Clear: * Sandy Hook Promise reports that guns are the leading cause of death for American children and teens. * CHOP’s Center for Violence Prevention confirms that school shootings are increasing, and many involve legally purchased semi-automatic weapons. * AP News recently reported a shooting at a Minneapolis church where two children were among the dead. This Is a Crisis—Not a Debate The continued legal access to semi-automatic firearms is not just a policy failure—it is a moral catastrophe. These weapons are repeatedly used to massacre innocent people, and yet they remain widely available. How many more children must die before Congress takes action? How many more communities must be shattered before we prioritize lives over lobbyists?