Madison Students March for Gun Control

Following a tragic shooting at Abundant Life Christian School, hundreds of students from Madison East and West High Schools marched to the state Capitol demanding stronger gun control measures, including a ban on assault weapons and enhanced background checks. The students chanted slogans like 'books, not bullets' and expressed their fears about school safety, citing a sense of desensitization to gun violence. Prominent Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Francesca Hong, joined the protestors and emphasized the need for actionable responses to gun violence, criticizing inaction from their Republican counterparts. The shooting, which resulted in the deaths of a student and a teacher, has led to multiple vigils and a community-wide call for change. Although the students' demands reflect a growing urgency for gun safety reforms, critics noted that the shooter did not use a firearm classified as an 'assault weapon.' This event highlights the ongoing debate over gun legislation in Wisconsin amidst a national conversation on school safety.