Plymouth Town Hall Tackles Gun Violence After School Tragedy
Three mothers from Annunciation Catholic School in Plymouth, Minnesota, shared their harrowing experiences during a town hall meeting on gun violence held on Sunday. The event was sparked by a tragic incident on August 27, 2023, when over 100 bullets struck the school, injuring several students, including 9-year-old Vivian Kimbrell, who was shot multiple times.
Malia Kimbrell, Vivian’s mother, expressed her anguish at the event, stating, “I don’t want any other parent or family to feel this misery.” Currently recovering at home, Vivian’s ordeal has driven Kimbrell to advocate for stricter gun control measures, including a ban on assault weapons. She emphasized the need for comprehensive solutions: “It’s more mental health resources and safer gun storage and better background checks and detecting potential threats online and improved security measures and banning assault weapons.”
The gathering was organized by Democratic Representative Kelly Morrison, focusing on gun violence prevention for constituents of Minnesota’s third district. The mothers, united by their shared trauma, voiced their determination to initiate change. Carla Maldonado, another parent of two children at Annunciation, highlighted the emotional toll of the event, recalling the panic she felt when hearing gunshots from her nearby home. “We cannot accept a world where civilians have access to weapons designed for battlefields,” she stated.
Stephanie Moscetti, a mother of two whose son was friends with Fletcher Merkel, an 8-year-old victim of the attack, articulated her concern about the lasting impact on her children. “My son was an honorary pallbearer at his friend’s funeral; how is this our reality?” she questioned. “Our kids deserve safe schools; they deserve safe childhoods where they can play and learn.”
The town hall follows the first meeting of a Minnesota Senate work group dedicated to addressing gun violence, which included testimonies from parents affected by the recent tragedy. Governor Tim Walz has pledged to call a special session to tackle this critical issue, though the date remains unspecified. Any proposed legislation would require bipartisan support, as House Republicans have outlined their priorities for a special session, which include school security grants, increased funding for mental health services, and mandatory minimum sentences for repeat gun offenders.
As the community rallies for change, the mothers of Annunciation Catholic School continue to advocate for a safer environment for all children. Their resolve serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for action in the face of gun violence.
