New Mexican leaders react

“The frequency of these horrific mass shootings has made this country numb to the terror of gun violence, and even our schools, which are meant as havens for our children, are no longer safe . ... As elected officials, we must do everything in our power to reduce the number of firearms and deadly weapons on our streets to make sure that everyone in this country lives in peace and free of fear.”

— Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham

“Nothing will change until Republicans stop using the filibuster to block us from passing real solutions that will help us prevent future gun violence tragedies. As a gun owner myself, I refuse to accept the premise that it is impossible to find agreement on policies that can help us effectively reduce gun violence and protect community safety. Nearly 10 years after Sandy Hook and more than two decades since Columbine, we find ourselves holding up families, teachers, and students mourning the inexplicable loss of children. When will never again actually mean never again?”

— Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. “We must stop #GunViolence now. Full stop. Congress must act and #AbolishtheFilibuster. I’m heartbroken for the @RobbElementary and #Uvalde community.”

— Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M. “Truly sick to my stomach hearing the horrific news coming out of Uvalde, Texas. Congress is not doing right by our nation’s children. It is shameful. It is unimaginably wrong. This is a parent’s living and worst nightmare. We need to pass meaningful and urgent gun reform, now.”

— Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M. “Please join me in praying for the families, schoolchildren, teachers, and first responders of Uvalde.”

— Rep. Yvette Herrell, R-N.M.

“My heart is broken. Every American, every family, and especially every child has a right to live free from the fear of gun violence in their communities, homes, and schools. My heart is with the affected families and the Uvalde community.”

— Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, D-N.M.

“My heart is broken for all of those little children and their families in Texas. This must stop. This isn’t about politics. This is about the very soul of our nation.”

— State Rep. Javier Martínez, D-Albuquerque