We mourn the loss of the victims of the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and pray for those that were injured in this horrific attack. With each mass shooting, the global policing community grieves with the victims, their families, first responders and the communities they serve.

As we grieve for the victims of the Florida shooting, we are also torn with sadness over the loss of the 18 officers killed in the United States in the first six weeks of 2018; 12 which were killed by a firearm. The violence against police experienced so far this year is a stark reminder of the dangers law enforcement face each day protecting their communities.

Law enforcement leaders, community members, policymakers, advocacy groups and others must come together to have a thoughtful discussion on a path forward. The first step is having a critical policy dialogue on steps we can take, together, to minimize the devastation caused by gun violence – focused on expanded background checks, closing the gun show loophole, limiting access to silencers/suppressors and putting measures in place that prevent persons affected by mental illness from acquiring firearms.

IACP is prepared to lead the above needed policy discussions.