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Activists call on Arizona lawmakers to call special session to address gun violence

Published  May 18, 2018 5:14pm MST
Matt Galka's Reports
FOX 10 Phoenix

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Not long after the shooting in Texas, March For Our Lives Arizona called on state lawmakers to call a special session to address gun violence.

Governor Doug Ducey had proposed a plan, but lawmakers never took action before the session ended.

"I was filled with grief. I actually cried this morning, and I've cried multiple times today," said Jordan Harb, who has been at the forefront of the March for our Lives student activism in Arizona. Harb woke up Friday to another national tragedy.

"I also feel anger, and that is what I've seen throughout the entire day in my classes and talking to our peers," said Harb. "We're upset, but we're so angry."

Harb and thousands of other students had pushed for reform during 2018's legislative session, with demonstrations at the State Capitol and a staged "Die-In" highlighting the groups seriousness about the issue.

"It's so upsetting to see 10 more students dead," said Harb.

Gov, Ducey's School Safety Plan never really got off the ground during regular session, and now, Democrats are calling for a special session on gun reform.

"We have gone past the point of inaction," said House Democratic Leader Rebecca Rios. "We need to do something now, and I think it's incumbent upon the Governor to lead."

State Rep. Rios, however, isn't confident it will happen.

"It begs the question: what are we waiting for?" said State Rep. Rios. "Are we waiting for a similar tragedy, like what happened in Santa Fe to happen in Arizona? We can't afford to wait any longer."

"We're the ones who are scared in our schools every single day, and it's not OK," said Harb. "It impacts us in our classrooms, even if the shooting did not happen in this state."

March For Our Lives is planning a candlelight vigil for Monday night at the State Capitol.

Meanwhile, Gov. Ducey's office released a statement saying, in part:

"Passing the Safe Arizona Schools plan remains one of the Governor's top priorities. This plan was developed with parents, students, teachers, law enforcement and mental health experts at the table. It's disappointing that this plan was not passed by the Legislature this session"

The statement did not say whether or not Gov. Ducey would call a special session.