Senator Mia McLeod Releases Statement on Gun Violence

Senator Mia McLeod (right), Democratic Candidate for Governor, today released the following statement regarding gun violence:

“Earlier this week, I was heartbroken to learn that senseless acts of gun violence resulted in the deaths of four more young people in South Carolina—this time in Newberry.  Around the same time, a young woman’s life was cut short in Laurens County by a Sheriff’s Deputy and we still don’t know why. Many of us were already reeling from the May 17 mass shooting at Tops Grocery Store in Buffalo, NY, where another “Dylann Roof,” armed with the same race-based hate, shot and killed 10 innocent people and injured 3 others. But, at least New York has a law against hate crimes.  My senate colleagues’ refusal to even debate the hate crimes bill that bears Sen. Clementa Pinckney’s name proves that racism is still alive and well inside and outside of the SC State House.

Not surprisingly, the past few weeks have been anything but safe for us. On April 16, there was a mass shooting at Columbiana Mall that injured over a dozen people, ranging from 15 to 73 years old. Two short weeks later, a 12-year-old student was charged with shooting and killing another 12-year-old student at Tanglewood Middle School in Greenville. After that, we watched in horror as children, parents, and coaches ran for cover to dodge bullets during a youth baseball game in North Charleston.

And now, we’re forced to relive the horror of yet another mass shooting…this time in Uvalde, TX where 21 precious lives were abruptly ended by gun violence…19 of them, elementary school-aged children. And Governor Henry McMaster’s generic and predictably tone-deaf response? More rhetorical “thoughts and prayers. But again, no action.

Disgusting.

These mass shootings at schools, malls, grocery stores, and churches are totally foreseeable, absolutely probable and a direct result of the choices Republican governors like Greg Abbott in TX and Henry McMaster in SC make, along with their Republican legislative colleagues.

It never stops.  We’re in the middle of a national and statewide epidemic – one that is senseless, reckless, and preventable.

 Like most of you, I’m repulsed by the grossly negligent inaction of Gov. McMaster and our Republican-controlled legislature. All of us know what they can do with their “thoughts and prayers.” We’ve had enough.  For the past 6 years, he has pushed for and prioritized bills that are designed to galvanize his base and kiss up to the NRA while he recklessly and irresponsibly champions and rubber stamps his party’s efforts to put more guns in the hands of South Carolinians…and we’re seeing the carnage daily. South Carolina’s incidents of gun violence and deaths have skyrocketed, thanks to McMaster and his party. Even as South Carolinians are gunned down, they’re celebrating the passage of dangerous open carry bills and barbaric firing squads.

We need change. Now.

The blood of every South Carolinian who has died over the last 6 years as well as those who will die before he is voted out of office…is on their hands.  Gov. McMaster and his Republican controlled legislature are responsible and must be held accountable for the unprecedented rise in gun violence and deaths since they’ve intentionally made guns more accessible, refused to debate or pass common-sense gun reforms like Red Flag bills, and legislation to make semi-automatic rifles and high capacity magazines off of SC streets. Instead, they’re too busy removing the very protections and restrictions needed to help keep us safe.

During the height of the pandemic, it was Henry McMaster who, by Executive Order, made sure that gun shops and liquor stores remained open when many workers were unemployed and families were isolated in close quarters…the perfect “cocktail” for deadly domestic violence incidents in a state that has been number one in the nation quite a few times when it comes to women who are murdered by men. And guns are almost always the preferred weapons of choice.

South Carolinians deserve a governor who has the courage to lead…especially now. And if the pandemic and this epidemic haven’t taught us anything else, one thing is certain…that person is NOT Henry McMaster. He has not only failed to acknowledge or address South Carolina’s epic rise in gun violence incidents. His failure to act and protect the people of SC has willfully and recklessly contributed to the historic number of deaths that are a direct result of our lax gun laws and Gov. McMaster’s deception, lies, and overt politicization of this issue.

As a Black woman with two young adult sons, this is deeply personal for me.  I know all too well what it’s like to fear for the safety of my own children.  That’s why I continue to fight for common sense gun laws to get guns off our streets and out of the hands of our youth by working and partnering with community, citizen, and law enforcement organizations to ensure that community-based summer and after school programs are available to our students, especially those who are at risk.

As a law-abiding citizen who’s licensed to carry, it was important for me to sponsor legislation to finally close the Charleston loophole because these historic moments require us to ACT—responsibly and decisively. Gun sellers shouldn’t be able to sell a firearm until the buyer’s background check clears. PERIOD. Neither should anyone who has been adjudicated mentally ill or mentally incompetent be able to legally access or possess a firearm. Semi-automatic rifles should be banned so that they are not available and accessible to civilians. I’ve recently proposed that legal gun owners carry liability insurance to help prevent easy access to firearms and fully support enhanced penalties for those who obtain, possess, and use firearms illegally.

A few days ago, I had the privilege of speaking with Ronald Smith and Katrina Sinclair…the parents of 14-year-old Ronjanae Smith, who was gunned down in a stream of bullets fired in the Deas Hill area of North Charleston, one year ago this week. They’ve turned their pain into purpose by choosing a path of compassionate action, despite the devastation and pain they face every single day.  Their courage and love in the face of such a tragic loss have allowed them to create a unique community program – Positive Vibes – to mentor and support children in their neighborhood. It takes extraordinary strength and faith to turn a personal tragedy into a story of triumph.  Ronald and Katrina are doing just that, by sharing hope and resources to give other children a chance at a brighter, safer future.

It’s going to take that kind of commitment to help keep all South Carolinians safe. Partnerships like this foster a much-needed connection between government officials, law enforcement agencies, and communities that are disproportionately impacted by gun violence.

As South Carolina’s next Governor, I will continue to do everything in my power to protect our children and curb the rising tide of gun violence through common sense gun reforms that bring our communities and government leaders together to create a better, stronger, safer South Carolina…for all of us.”

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