Md. Mom Who Lost Son To Gun Violence Attends State Of The Union Address
WASHINGTON (WJZ)—After losing her son to gun violence, a Maryland mother is invited to attend the president's State of the Union Address.
Monqiue Griego has her reaction to the president's speech.
Carole Price has spent the past 15 years fighting for gun control reform. For her, Tuesday night's speech stirred up a lot of emotions.
"I know this is not the first time this country has debated how to reduce gun violence. But this time is different," President Barack Obama said in his speech.
Obama talked about the need for gun control legislation during his State of the Union Address on Tuesday night.
In the audience was Price, a Maryland mother whose 13-year-old son John was killed by gun violence in 1998.
"It brings it all back home. It makes it all fresh again, brings back everything that we went through," Price said.
Her son was accidentally shot by a 9-year-old neighbor who was playing with a loaded gun.
In her son's honor, Price has spent the past 15 years fighting for reform. In 2000, she helped pass the Maryland Gun Safety Act, which added safety locks to handguns.
"That was groundbreaking for Maryland back then, but now what we're trying to do is continue with that," Price said.
At the State of the Union, Price sat alongside other families whose lives were also torn apart by gun violence, including former Representative Gabby Giffords.
"It was something I'll never forget. It was very emotional," Price said.
During his speech, Obama made a call for legislation to get assault rifles and massive ammunition magazines off the streets.
"Each of these proposals deserves a vote in Congress," the president said.
Price also believes the time for change is now.
"The hardest thing I've ever done is lose my child. At the end of the day I'm just John's mom, just trying to fight in something we believe to keep our kids safe," Price said.
Price went on to say she was confident new legislation would pass.
Price attended the State of the Union with Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen, who was also influential in getting the gun safety act passed.
