Family, friends of victims from local tragedies react to President Obama’s proposed gun laws
Family and friends of those who died in recent mass shootings in Colorado Springs shared their thoughts on President Barack Obama’s plans for stricter gun control he announced Tuesday.
On Halloween,Christy Galella, Jennifer Vasquez and Andrew Alan Myers were shot and killed by Noah Harpham.
On Black Friday, Robert Dear is accused of killing Ke’Arre Stewart, Jennifer Markovsky and Officer Garrett Swasey at Planned Parenthood on Nov. 27.
On Tuesday, President Obama said he plans to take executive action to tighten gun control in the U.S.He wants to expand background checks by requiring people to register as federally licensed gun dealers.
Stewart’s brother Leyonte Chandler said he supports President Obama’s plan to implement more rules for background checks.
“This has affected me and my family, and I see how many other families are affected, now I stand firm behind Obama’s decision to make stricter gun laws,” said Chandler.
Chandler said his brother had a great laugh and a big heart. He said his brother’s death has devastated his family.
“They are gone and they aren’t coming back and it’s hard to deal with, it’s just hard,” said Chandler.
Chandler said he didn’t used to have an opinion on gun control but since the shooting at Planned Parenthood, he’s made it his mission to advocate for stricter rules.
“I think this is a big step. Once this passes over, then we will move on to the next phase. For right now, I am satisfied and my family is satisfied that something is being done fairly rapidly,” said Chandler.
Galella’s mother said stricter gun control isn’t the answer. She said the focus should instead be on mental health and believes that’s what will prevent more mass shooters from firing.
Galella’s friend Leta Harding said President Obama is taking the right steps and hopes to see more gun control in the future.
She said Galella’s death has been hard on her and the victim’s family.
“It’s a nightmare you have to live every day. You wake up to it, you go to sleep to it. You hear a loud noise, you shake,” said Harding.
