Today, Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-21) and Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22) joined college officials, state legislators and community stakeholders at Palm Beach State College to discuss the gun violence epidemic and urge opposition to the current bills in the Florida Legislature that would allow individuals to carry firearms on college campuses.

“We do not have to accept a reality in which more than 30,000 Americans die of gunshot wounds every year,” said Congressman Ted Deutch. “We must fix our broken background check system, crack down on illegal gun trafficking, and lift the ban on federal research into gun violence and how to best prevent it.”

“Dreams are shattered and families devastated because of senseless gun violence,” said Congresswoman Lois Frankel. “The public and private sector must come together now with serious solutions.”

Joining Reps. Deutch and Frankel were Dr. Robert Van Dervelde, Associate Dean of Palm Beach State College and Vice President Elect of the Association of Florida Colleges; Chief John Smith, Head of Security and Safety and Palm Beach State College; Tony Kalil, West Palm Beach Deputy Police Chief; Florida Senators Jeff Clemens and Maria Sachs; Florida Representatives Lori Berman, Irv Slosberg, and Bobby Powell; Angela Williams of Mothers against Murderers; Kathryn Grant of Keep Guns off Campus; and Arlene Ustin of the League of Women Voters.

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