Statement of Senator Dianne Feinstein on the Shooting Today in Meridian, Mississippi
July 8, 2003

"A gunman today open fired in a factory in Meridian, Mississippi, killing at least 5 people and wounding 8 more, before killing himself. According to published accounts, the shooter fired at random and didn't target particular victims. It has also been reported that the shooter had in his possession a semi-automatic assault weapon and a shotgun.

First, let me extend my heartfelt sympathy to the families and friends of the victims. This was a senseless act of violence, and words cannot express how sorry I am for your loss.

This shooting has all the hallmarks of a grievance killing - the high death toll, the presence of assault weapons, and the random nature of the shooting. It follows in the terrible tradition of 101 California, Columbine, and the Granada Hills Jewish Community Center. These are deeply tragic events, which have become all-too common in recent years.

Over the next few days, law enforcement authorities will uncover the details of the shooting - what type of weapons were used, how the shooter obtained them, what his particular grievance was. One thing is clear: this type of shooting is too-often made more deadly by the easy availability of military-style assault weapons that can fire large numbers of rounds in a short amount of time.

In my view, this shooting underscores the urgent need to reauthorize the federal assault weapons ban and close a loophole in the law which has allowed high-capacity clips, drums, and strips to be imported into this country by the millions. This law made sense a decade ago, and this shooting proves that it makes sense today.

Therefore, in the memory of those killed today, I will work with my colleagues in the Senate to help keep military-style assault weapons off the street and to prevent incidents like this from happening again."

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