NNEDV Statement on the Colorado Springs Shooting

November 21, 2022

The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) condemns the mass shooting in Colorado Springs, Colorado on November 19. The news of the horrific shooting emerged on the Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day we mark to mourn the loss of transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming individuals whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. This tragedy follows horrific shootings in recent weeks at schools and public spaces across our country.

Today, we mourn with the families and communities of the murdered individuals. We call, again, for gun violence reform and investments in prevention and services to uproot misogyny, racism, homophobia, and transphobia and to support survivors.

“Again, we wake up to news of horrific gun violence, targeting LGBTQ+ community, in a safe and joyous space. Early reports indicate the shooter attempted to harm his mother, threatening her with a bomb. Prior domestic violence is so frequently a part of these mass shooter’s histories. The red flags were there and yet he still had access to firearms. It is predictable, preventable, and unacceptable,” said Deborah J. Vagins, NNEDV President and CEO.

“The roots of all systemic violence are intertwined. In order to end domestic violence, we join broader movements to end the violence of white supremacy, racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia. While we saw one of the first gun safety measures to be enacted into law in decades this past year, it was not enough. NNEDV calls on policymakers to come together to act to end the scourge of gun violence, fueled by hate and too few commonsense gun safety laws,” said Vagins.