A Columbine parent reflects on the decade since Sandy Hook school shooting

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A Columbine parent reflects on the decade since Sandy Hook school shooting

黑料吃瓜网 Radio | By John Henry Smith,

Published December 13, 2022 at 5:00 PM EST

Tom Mauser, the father of Columbine High School shooting victim, Daniel Mauser bows as people gather to lay out approximately 7,000 pairs of shoes outside the United States Capitol on Tuesday March 13, 2018 in Washington, DC. The display entitled, "Monument for our Kids" was to symbolize the number of children who have been victims of gun violence since the December 14, 2012 mass shooting in Newtown, CT. — Tom Mauser, the father of Columbine High School shooting victim Daniel Mauser, bows as people gather to lay out approximately 7,000 pairs of shoes outside the U.S. Capitol on March 13, 2018, in Washington. The display, titled "Monument for our Kids," was to symbolize the number of children who have been victims of gun violence since the Dec. 14, 2012, mass shooting in Newtown, Conn.

Ten years ago, 20 children and six adults were shot and killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. In the decade since, the U.S. has slowly passed more federal gun control measures. But it鈥檚 also seen many mass shootings at schools, including , Florida, and , Texas.

Tom Mauser, during the Columbine High School shooting in 1999, said he often gets asked if he鈥檚 surprised that America continues to suffer through mass shooting after mass shooting.

鈥淢y answer is no,鈥� Mauser said. 鈥淲hy? Because it鈥檚 happening out there. It脝s happening all around the schools. Why should it be any surprise that it happens inside the schools?

鈥淚t鈥檚 a reflection of what鈥檚 happening to our society.鈥�

The U.S., , has struggled for years to pass significant federal gun legislation. But some lawmakers and gun control advocates saw a glimmer of hope this year with the passage of the .

That legislation, which President Biden signed into law in June, enhances background checks, financially supports red flag laws and aims to crack down on gun trafficking. It also invests in mental health services and school safety.

Mauser said that law was a positive step. But he said it took decades for the federal government to take any significant action on guns.

He said he鈥檚 inspired as more and more young people affected by mass shootings speaking out about gun violence and .

鈥淢y generation 鈥� the generation behind me 鈥� really kind of failed to do anything significant about this,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut the young generation can really have an impact on it.鈥�

And as the younger generation works for gun reform, Mauser said he鈥檒l continue his advocacy 鈥� wearing his son鈥檚 shoes as he does it.

鈥淲hen we were clearing out some of Daniel鈥檚 effects, I found out he had the same shoe size as me,鈥� Mauser said. 鈥淚t was very symbolic that I would wear his shoes and do what I think he would want me to do.

鈥淚 only do it when I鈥檓 doing public speaking,鈥� Mauser said. 鈥淏ecause I want the shoes to last for a long time 鈥� be able to pass them on to my children and grandchildren. I think it鈥檚 really important to do things in honor of your child, if it can provide some direction and provide some additional purpose in your life.鈥�

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from 黑料吃瓜网, the state鈥檚 local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de 黑料吃瓜网, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programaci贸n que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para m谩s reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscr铆base a nuestro bolet铆n informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

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