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Chiefs parade shooting leaves Kansas City and Missouri leaders divided over guns

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas responds to a question at a press conference Feb. 15, 2024, about the Chiefs parade shooting. Next to him are Fire Chief Ross Grundyson and Police Chief Stacey Graves.
Zach Perez
/
KCUR 89.3
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas (left) responds to a question at a press conference Feb. 15, 2024, about the Chiefs parade shooting.

One person was killed and 22 others were injured on Wednesday during a mass shooting that occurred at the end of the Chiefs championship parade and rally. KCUR's Up To Date spoke with government officials at the local, state and federal levels to get their reactions to what happened.

Following the mass shooting Wednesday at the Kansas City Chiefs championship celebration, politicians have reacted with sorrow and anger. And they have participated in a dialogue about why catastrophic shootings take place, and what can be done to prevent them.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas was at Union Station when the gunfire rang out. He says that while he believes people need to be taught more at a young age about how to handle conflict, the availability of assault weapons plays a crucial role in the violence.

"My thing is this: yes, we need to invest in particularly the lives of so many of our young boys in our cities. But the guns are also a problem. If there were not semi-automatic weapons, not that many people would have been hit. Full stop," Lucas said.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, who also was at the rally, says Missourians should not expect gun control measures any time soon. He believes that accessibility to guns is not the primary cause of the problem.

"What is the core root of people feeling it is okay to go out and kill people? That's not normal," Parson said. "There is an issue in our society today that I think, I don't have all the answers. If I did, I'd fix it tomorrow if I could. I think it's a bigger issue than just saying who buys guns and who doesn't buy guns."

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the state of Missouri's firearm mortality rate ranks 9th in the country.

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When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.
As Up To Date’s senior producer, I construct daily conversations that give our listeners context to the issues of our time. I strive to provide a platform that holds those in power accountable, while also spotlighting the voices of Kansas City’s creatives and visionaries that may otherwise go unheard. Email me at zach@kcur.org.
As an Up To Date producer, I aim to create a space for Kansas Citians to come together for curious and inspired conversations about the region we call home. I want to help find answers to big questions, shine a light on local change makers and break down complex issues people need to know about. Email me at hallejackson@kcur.org.
As a producer for Up To Date, my goal is to inform our audience by curating interesting and important conversations with reliable sources and individuals directly affected by a topic or issue. I strive for our program to be a place that hosts impactful conversations, providing our audience with greater knowledge, intrigue, compassion and entertainment. Contact me at elizabeth@kcur.org or on Twitter at @er_bentley_ruiz.
As a producer for Up To Date, I create sound-rich talk show segments about the individuals and communities that call Kansas City home. Whether it’s a poet, a business owner or a local lawmaker, I seek out diverse voices to help break down the biggest stories of the day. After listening to the show, I want Up To Date listeners to feel informed and empowered to make decisions in their daily lives. You can reach me at claudiab@kcur.org
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