Indian American leaders demand gun reform after deadly Brown University shooting

Highlights:

Indian American political leaders across the US have strongly condemned the deadly mass shooting at Brown University, renewing calls for comprehensive gun safety legislation as the nation mourns yet another act of senseless violence.

The shooting occurred on Sunday (14) at the Ivy League campus in Providence, Rhode Island, leaving two people dead and eight others injured. The tragedy unfolded just one day before the anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, intensifying public grief and amplifying demands for meaningful change.

Representative Ro Khanna was among the first to respond, calling the incident a 'horrific mass shooting' and sharply criticizing Congress for failing to act. In a public statement, Khanna said Americans should not have to accept mass shootings as a normal part of life.

He described the the lack of progress on gun safety laws as a moral failure, stressing that innocent lives continue to be lost because lawmakers have not taken decisive action.

Representative Pramila Jayapal echoed those concerns, expressing deep frustration that mass shootings remain a recurring reality in the United States. She emphasized that such tragedies should compel leaders to move beyond condolences and toward concrete legislative reforms. Jayapal called for real gun safety measures that prioritize public safety and prevent future violence.

Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi also shared his condolences, saying his heart was with the Brown University community during a time of profound loss. He highlighted the pain felt by students, faculty, and families affected by the shooting and underscored the responsibility of Congress to act decisively to end gun violence nationwide.

New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Kwame Mamdani released a detailed statement describing gun violence as an epidemic that has become disturbingly normalized across the country. He wrote that acts of violence once considered unthinkable are now tragically routine, yet unlike many other crises, this one has a clear solution. According to Mamdani, the nation has the power to end this suffering if it chooses to do so through political will and policy change.

Mamdani also extended condolences to the victims’ families and the broader Brown University community, urging Americans not to become numb to such pain. He called for renewed dedication to the long-term work of ending gun violence and honoring victims through action rather than inaction.

As investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting, the tragedy has once again placed gun reform at the center of the national conversation, with leaders insisting that mourning must be matched by meaningful change.