JGVPR Statement on Tragic School Shooting in Madison, WI
From JWI’s Jewish Gun Violence Prevention Roundtable on December 18, 2024:
The Jewish Gun Violence Prevention Roundtable and our member organizations are devastated by the tragic school shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, WI, leaving at least two dead and many others injured. Our deepest sympathies go out to the victims, their families, and the entire school and religious community affected by this senseless act of violence.
As we mourn the loss of innocent lives and grapple with the pain of this tragedy, we must also come together as a community to support one another and seek ways to prevent such horrific events from happening again. The Jewish Gun Violence Prevention Roundtable is committed to advocating for legislative action to protect our communities and keep our schools safe.
In light of this tragedy, we urge our lawmakers and community leaders to take immediate and decisive action to:
Implement comprehensive background checks for all gun purchases.
Enforce safe storage laws to prevent unauthorized access to firearms.
Increase funding for school-based mental health and other supportive services.
Pass legislation to restrict access to high-capacity magazines and assault weapons.
In these difficult times, let us find strength in unity and resolve in action. Together, we can work towards a future where our children can learn and grow in a safe and secure environment, free from the fear of gun violence.
Jewish Women International (JWI) is the leading Jewish organization working to end violence against women and girls domestically and internationally. JWI's National Center on Domestic & Sexual Violence in the Jewish Community is the hub of resources, trainings, and research to support the field. It convenes The Collaborative, the network of all Jewish domestic violence agencies in the U.S. and established and hosts the Interfaith Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and the Clergy Task Force to End Domestic Abuse in the Jewish Community. A Steering Committee member of the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, JWI’s advocacy efforts focus on the passage of legislation that supports women and girls, ensures their economic security, and protects their right to live free of violence.