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Arizona Democratic Demand Special Session On Guns To Find Bipartisan Solution

Friday’s shooting in Santa Fe, Texas, was the 22nd school shooting this year, according to CNN.

Democratic state lawmakers on Friday demanded that Gov. Doug Ducey hold a special session to adopt, “comprehensive and effective gun safety legislation that will keep weapons of mass murder out of the hands of dangerous people and provide resources to identify and help troubled individuals.”

But Gov. Ducey doesn’t seem to be moving in that direction. He sent us a statement in response to these demands that says, “passing the Safe Arizona Schools Plan remains one of the governor’s top priorities.”

Here's Ducey's full statement:

"Passing the Safe Arizona Schools Plan remains one of the governor's top priorities. This plan was released in March and developed with parents, students, teachers, law enforcement and mental health experts at the table. It's disappointing that this plan was not passed by the Legislature, but the governor is committed to fighting for the common-sense reforms included in this comprehensive package. He encourages Republicans and Democrats to put politics aside and join in support. This is not a partisan issue."

Ducey introduced the plan last session with the support of the National Rifle Association, but the Legislature failed to pass it.

He is encouraging Democrats to support his plan, but according to at east one Democratic leader, that doesn’t seem to be likely.

After the shooting in Parkland, Florida, thousands of students rallied outside the state capitol as part of the March for Our Lives. They even staged a die-in in front of the governor’s office, but Ducey would not meet with those students.

On Monday, they’re staging a vigil in honor of the students who died over the weekend in Texas.

The Show talked to one of the Democratic lawmakers who’s calling for a special session. Rep. Rebecca Rios is the minority leader in the House and she said something has to be done before something like this happens here in Arizona.

Lauren Gilger, host of KJZZ's The Show, is an award-winning journalist whose work has impacted communities large and small, exposing injustices and giving a voice to the voiceless and marginalized.