When Will It Ever End: Arizona Reaction to Today’s Horrific School Shooting in Minnesota

When will it ever end?

When will political leaders beholden to the discredited National Rifle Association finally say “enough is enough” and “no more selling weapons of war to the nation’s mentally unbalanced and criminal elements.”

How many innocent children and their families have to suffer before these leaders serve the people who voted for them instead of the lobbyists that fund their campaigns and retirement plans?

Today, a deranged madman, apparently with an extremist agenda, opened fire on innocent children attending their first week of school at the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, killing two (an eight and ten year old) and injuring seventeen others.

The school serves children in grades Kindergarten through Eight.

The shooter, 23 year old Robin Westman, apparently legally purchased the firearms used in today’s tragedy.

This is the eighth school shooting this year and the 434th since Columbine in 1999.

That is 434 school shootings too many.

The shooting occurred just two months after the people of Minnesota endured the assassinations of their former State House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband.

Minnesota Governor and 2024 Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee Tim Walz posted:

“Minnesota is heartbroken. From the officers responding, to the clergy and teachers providing comfort, to the hospital staff saving lives, we will get through this together. Hug your kids close.”

Arizona leaders have expressed their sympathies to the victims and the families of this latest school shooting tragedy.

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs posted:

“What should have been a safe space for prayer and community was shattered by violence in Minnesota today. My heart is with the students, families, and educators at Annunciation Catholic School, and with the entire Minnesota community reeling from this senseless act of violence.”

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes stated:

“I am heartbroken over the tragedy today in Minneapolis. As a mom, AZ’s chief law enforcement officer, and a staunch defender of the Constitution, I refuse to accept that there’s no better answer. Gun violence should not be the leading cause of death for children in America.”

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego wrote:

“My heart aches after hearing the news from Minneapolis. No family should have to endure the pain of losing a child to violence, especially in a place meant for learning and safety. Schools should be sanctuaries where student can grow, dream, and feel protected.”

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero conveyed:

“I am heartbroken by the loss of children’s lives this morning. Our children deserve better, they deserve to live freely without the fear of gun violence.”

Arizona Representative Yassamin Ansari relayed:

“No child should fear gun violence their first week of school. Yet only in the United States of America, it happens again. And again. And again. “Thoughts and prayers” are an insult. We need laws that keep kids alive.”

Arizona Representative Greg Stanton wrote:

“Absolutely horrifying. I’m heartbroken for the students, teachers, families, and the entire Minneapolis community. We’re standing with you on this dark day.”

Senator Ruben Gallego posted:

“I’m absolutely heartbroken for families impacted by this tragedy and the entire Minneapolis community. As a dad to three young kids, this is my worst nightmare. No parent should have to fear dropping their kid off at school.”

Senator Mark Kelly, whose wife Gabby Giffords was the victim of a crazed gunman, offered:

“The school year has only just begun and already another community has been torn apart by gun violence. I’m keeping the victims and their families in my thoughts right now, but I know that’s not enough. I’m sick and tired of seeing shooting after shooting while Congress refuses to act.”

Arizona House Democrats issued a joint post, stating:

“An absolutely horrific, senseless and cowardly act of violence. More innocent families and yet another community shattered by a mass shooting. Our broken hearts are with Minneapolis — especially the families of those killed and injured, and with the first responders and trauma personnel working to save lives.”

Arizona Senate Democratic Leaders Priya Sundareshan and Catherine Miranda also issued a joint statement.

Senator Sundareshan wrote:

“As a mother and more importantly as an American, I am heartbroken today. This country abandoned its moral compass when it decided that protecting the right to own firearms outweighed the shared responsibility of protecting our children so they could grow old in this country. Our caucus mourns alongside the families who have had their world shattered today and extends our strength to those watching their loved ones fight for their lives in hospital beds. Today’s victims deserved action from their representatives yesterday, and we remain committed to fighting for a day when no child has to fear for their lives in the classroom or in a church pew.”  

Senator Miranda stated:

“Year after year, our caucus introduces legislation to keep guns out of the hands of those that seek to do harm to themselves or others, and each year they are ignored by Republican leadership in the legislature. We will continue to offer thoughts and prayers because our hearts hurt for the victims of these preventable tragedies, but it is time to deliver legislation that will finally place common-sense gun safety regulations above all. We are sending our love to those in Minneapolis and those across the country mourning this senseless act of violence. Our government has the power to stop this. We are the only developed nation in the world that must grapple with dead children in classrooms because our leaders are too afraid to prioritize our children over guns. This cowardice must end.”  

As of this time (2:15 p.m,) Arizona Superintendent Tom Horne has not issued a post regarding this horrific tragedy.

Neither have Arizona Senate Republicans.

One Arizona House Republican, Quang Nguyen, has already started to play the disgusting and repulsive guilt by association farce by latching onto the reporting that the shooter is transgender.