Moms visit Georgia Capitol to rally for stricter gun laws

ATLANTA (WTOC) - The Georgia Capitol was filled with red as the group Moms Demand Action rallied for tighter gun laws.

Moms Demand Action is a national movement that focuses on protecting people from gun violence.

A Savannah City Council member was on a bus full of parents on Tuesday asking representatives to pass legislation on gun safety.

“We use Michelle and Brenda and I. We made loud noise for boys because we were survivors from 2015. We all had sons killed in senseless acts of violence,” said District 3 Alderwoman Linda Wilder-Bryan.

ALSO AT THE GEORGIA CAPITOL:

“My son James John Pastures was the first homicide in 2015, MLK celebration day. I went up there to let my voice and all of our voices be heard,” said Michelle Pastures.

“My son was murdered in May of 2022. I’m standing here firm. I don’t care if it’s mothers, fathers...we are standing in unity,” said Bishop Jermaine Oliver.

They are parents with Moms Demand Action and they’re bringing attention to House Bill 161 and Senate Bill 75 that would make it a misdemeanor to store, transport or abandon an unsecured firearm in a place where children have access.

The state of Georgia has been in the spotlight for loose gun laws allowing them to be carried in open or public spaces without a background check or permit.

“It’s not an unfortunate accident if they get ahold of an unsecure firearm. It’s negligence,” said Kerri McGinty.

They’ve been making this trip for several years because it makes the difference in saving their kids.

“How do we fight crime? We go and sit where they make those laws.”

“If we vote you in there, you say you gon’ do something, we gon’ hold you to that. When you don’t do it, we’ll hold your feet to the fire to get you up out of there. No longer will we sit in this lackadaisical world and keep letting this go on,” said Bishop Oliver.

Moms Demand Action says this session they want lawmakers to make this legislation a priority and they’ll be back again next year to continue trying to make a difference.

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