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Morehouse Students Rally to Expand Background Checks for Guns

April 17th, 2013

The U.S. Senate is considering legislation to expand background checks for gun buyers. On Tuesday, Morehouse College students and members of Mayors Against Illegal Guns rallied to pressure Georgia’s U.S. Senators to pass the measure.

Morehouse senior Ronnie Moseley believes the measure’s passage would keep more illegal guns out of the hands of criminals and reduce gun violence on college campuses.

“And we want to do everything we can to influence that.”

Mosely grew up in Chicago and is no stranger to gun violence. He thought he would escape the violence by moving to Atlanta, but during his freshman year Spelman student Jasmine Lynn was killed by a stray bullet on Clark Atlanta University’s campus. More recently, Mosely says Morehouse student Cornelius Savage was shot and injured on campus.

“We all came here to graduate. We came here to get an education and a better life. Yet, we’re still at risk for having all that ended, so we have to act if we want to live.”

That’s why State Senator Vincent Fort urged those attending the rally to contact U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss.

“We have a responsibility to call Senator Chambliss, call Senator Isakson, because we have the responsibility to stand up for people who cannot stand up for themselves.

Chambliss and Isakson recently voted to allow debate on the gun bill. However, both plan to vote against the amendment expanding background checks.