I support extending the protection of k-12 schools to our higher education institutions. I knew friends who experienced the violence of VT, and no one should ever have to endure that pain. As well as the shooting that happened at Bridgewater College, where two officers and pillars of the community were killed.

I support all of these bills as each would lessen the chances of gun violence and inevitably save lives.

With regard to firearms, I support extending the protection of k-12 schools to our institutions of higher education. Right now, this is accomplished through the regulatory process, but putting it in the Code will ensure everyone benefits from these protections.

As a mother of two young children, there is nothing more important to me than building a safer community for our state's kids, one that is free from the fear and constant threat of wanton gun violence. I strongly support any measure -- large or small-- that brings awareness and common sense regulation of deadly weapons, that removes firearms from those who threaten themselves or others, and diminishes the capacity of firearms to kill innocent people.