Democratic Senate Leader Mitzi Epstein Goes After Republican Inaction on Gun Safety Measures

In her second State of the Session address since becoming Democratic Senate Leader, Senator Mitzi Epstein (full disclosure: I am a member of her Legislative District 12) went after hypocrite Republicans for not working on gun safety legislation that could potentially prevent horrific school shootings like the recent one this week in Nashville that cost six lives, including three children.

Senate Democratic Leader @MitziEpstein gives the latest #StateofSession Update:
"We are simply asking that we finally accept the fact that our children are worth more and deserve better than what the gun lobby has to offer us." ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/CGOImPkIJn

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— Arizona Senate Democrats (@AZSenateDems) March 30, 2023

In her comments, Senator Epstein started by saying:

“The sadness and sting of mass shooting is all too often drowned out by the comfort of business as usual, which is why our nation has failed to address this ongoing problem of gun violence for so long.”

She then reminded the viewers that Democrats in the State House and Senate have continually sought ways to enact gun safety provisions without taking anyone’s right to own a firearm.

One such measure, “Christian’s Law,” authored by State Representative (and gun violence victim) Jennifer Longdon, which would have required gun owners to safely lock their firearms when not in use, failed to attract any Republican support.

PRESS RELEASE: Rep. Longdon Moves ‘Christian’s Law' for Vote, GOP Blocks Common-Sense Gun Violence Prevention pic.twitter.com/Mpd7N7OUOl

— Arizona House Democrats (@AZHouseDems) March 28, 2023

One has to ask why Republicans would be against a measure that would prevent a small child from going into an unsecured gun cabinet and accidentally shooting themselves.

In her remarks, Senator Epstein goes on and blasts Republicans for not considering these common-sense safety measures. calling their sympathy for the victims of the Nashville shooting “nothing more than fake tears.”

She also railed against them for not working with Democrats by “extending opportunities to collaborate,” calling it “sad and vexing.”

Epstein asserted that Democrats would “continue looking for solutions that will work and policies that will save lives.”

She concluded by stating that Democrats were “asking that we finally accept the fact that our children are worth more and deserve better than what the gun lobby has to offer us.”