Arizona has once again been assigned an “F” grade for its gun safety laws by the Giffords Law Center, marking the state’s failure to implement significant reforms despite high rates of gun-related deaths. In 2023 alone, over 1,400 individuals were killed by gunfire in Arizona, ranking it among the top states for firearm mortality rates, which is 18.5 per 100,000 people, according to the CDC.
Despite the stark statistics and calls for change from advocacy groups, Arizona’s leadership has shown little willingness to adopt measures like universal background checks or red flag laws. Prominent advocates such as State Rep. Nancy Gutierrez emphasize the widespread support for common-sense safety measures across political lines, yet proposed reforms continually stall in a Republican-controlled legislature more aligned with the gun lobby.
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