Armed Shooter Shatters Greenwich Village Community

Volunteer Police, Worker, Gunman Perish

Mar 15, 2007

Washington, D.C.  - Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, issued the following statement about Wednesday night’s shooting rampage in New York’s Greenwich Village:

“Our hearts and condolences go out to the families of the victims of the terrible shooting in Greenwich Village.  We don’t know why this happened, but it is a senseless loss of lives. 

“Two young men altruistic enough to serve as auxiliary police officers made the ultimate sacrifice that public safety officers can make.  The New York Police Department deserves praise for a prompt response that kept the situation from getting worse.  We need to investigate how the shooter came to be armed with his two semiautomatic handguns and more than a hundred rounds of ammunition.  And we must continue to take steps to make it harder for criminals and other dangerous individuals to obtain these firearms so easily.”

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As the nation's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign, with its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, works to enact and enforce sensible gun laws, regulations and public policies. The Brady Campaign is devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities.

For continuing insight and comment on the gun issue, read Paul Helmke's blog at www.bradycampaign.org/blog/. Visit the Brady Campaign website at www.bradycampaign.org.