DeLaney reminds of the need for gun reform

Today, Feb. 10, State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) met with a group of local students at the Statehouse for Moms Demand Action advocacy day to discuss common-sense gun reforms. 

DeLaney issued the following statement after the meeting: 

“In 2024, the number of youth homicides from gun violence in Indianapolis decreased drastically, from 44 children in 2023 to 17 children in 2024. While this statistic is undeniably positive, it is one of the reasons that issue has faded from our focus. The untimely deaths of 17 young Hoosiers is a great tragedy, no matter how that number fits into the current statistic.

“As I was reminded by the passionate group of students from North Central High School that spoke with me today, Indiana has a long way to go to protect Hoosiers from gun violence. In 2024, Indiana ranked 7th highest in the nation for incidents of gunfire on school grounds. The legislature passed a bill in 2022 to allow permitless carry. We have yet to close the loophole that allows the purchase of firearms at gun shows without a background check. In 2023, we had the third highest rate of accidental child shootings behind only Florida and Texas, states with much larger populations. 

“The need to enact common-sense gun safety policies remains as strong as ever, even if it isn’t making headlines this session. I wanted to thank Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action for the work they do to shed light on the pressing issue of gun reform.”