US: Amnesty declares ‘human rights crisis’ after eighth school shooting of the year

Margaret Huang

Amnesty International USA has declared a “human rights crisis” after at least 17 people were killed in the eighth US school shooting of the year.

A 19-year-old former student opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida yesterday.

According to US group Everytown for Gun Safety, it is the 18th shooting incident at a US school in 2018 and the eighth in which the shooter injured others. The other incidents were two suicide attempts and eight involved guns being discharged without causing injury.

Margaret Huang, executive director of Amnesty International USA, said: “While our thoughts are with the victims, survivors and families of this senseless attack, we know that is not enough. Our leaders must take action to protect people from gun violence.

“When people can’t go to school, or to work, or to attend a concert without fearing that they’ll be shot, that is a human rights crisis.”

Ms Huang added: “The current patchwork of inconsistent gun laws is not sufficient to stop gun violence. We need reforms at the federal, state and local levels to protect everyone’s safety.”

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