Stop Gun Violence Board Chair Brian Lemek released the following statement on the tragic shooting in Pawtucket, RI. Lemek, a gun owner and sportsman, is a native of Rhode Island.
As a native Rhode Islander who has played many games in that very rink, this tragedy hits especially close to home. That space holds memories of community, competition, and joy — and now it’s filled with pain no community should have to carry.
The only thing young athletes should worry about is the scoreboard — not their safety. Our kids deserve spaces that bring communities together, they deserve to be safe, and they deserve a future free from this constant fear.
This is no way for our kids to live. We need to stop this madness.
At Stop Gun Violence, we will continue building a coalition that brings together gun owners and advocates around a shared belief: we can protect our children while upholding our constitutional rights.
We can and should work together to promote responsible gun ownership and pass legislation like safe storage laws and red flag laws — widely supported measures that keep guns out of dangerous situations while respecting responsible ownership.
I’m holding the victims and their loved ones in my heart, and I’m more determined than ever to build a future where our kids are safe in the places meant for joy.
