After the recent deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia Democratic State Sen. Emanuel Jones is chairing a state legislative committee that could reshape the state’s lax gun safety laws.
Georgia has some of the highest rates of intentional or non-intentional gun violence in the United States, according to the latest statistics from Everytown for Gun Safety. The nonprofit cited gun violence data from the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention saying that Georgia ranks eighth nationwide in gun deaths, with the mortality rate increasing 56% from 2013 to 2022.
The Senate Study Committee on Safe Firearm Storage is studying gun safety proposals and considering legislation for the next session, which starts in January.
Jones joined WABE’s “Morning Edition” to discuss the committee’s goals and says he’s committed to finding solutions to prevent these tragedies.
Lily Oppenheimer contributed to this report.
