Moms Demand Action: South Carolina group wants stricter gun laws after Georgia high school shooting

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — In the wake of Wednesday’s deadly school shooting in Georgia Wednesday, a woman whose niece died from gun violence in Myrtle Beach a decade ago and who volunteers with the organization Moms Demand Action is among those concerned about what is being done locally to prevent something similar from happening here.

Two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School were killed Wednesday when a teenage gunman opened fire. At least nine others, including eight students, were hurt, authorities said.

Melody Geddis McFadden has dedicated her time to pushing for sticker gun laws since her niece’s death 10 years ago. When she heard what happened in Georgia, she said she immediately felt grief and anger.

“We’re sitting here looking at another shooting that we shouldn’t be looking at,” McFadden said. “This should not have happened again”

School shootings happen too often these days, McFadden said, adding that when she was a kid, there weren’t these concerns.

“They ought to be there, learning and dreaming and having fun and waiting for recess,” McFadden said. “Instead, they’re wondering if one of their classmates is going to shoot … everybody. It shouldn’t be this way.”

Horry County Schools recently hired a new executive director of safety and security, while also upgrading its weapons detection systems and implementing a clear book bag policy for all schools this school year. The district said it now has 230 weapons detection systems.

McFadden said South Carolina needs to create stricter gun laws and require safe storage and universal background checks.

“I just believe that our children are suffering the consequences of our inability to do something,” McFadden said.

South Carolina recently approved a cell phone ban in schools , leaving some wondering, what would happen if students don’t have their phones during an emergency.

McFadden said children should not be worried about the possibility of a school shooting. Unfortunately, it’s a conversation she had to have with her 10-year-old granddaughter who she said is deeply traumatized by these kinds of events.

“I want you to live in a world where it’s Ok to go to school and have fun,” McFadden said. “And the only drill you should have to go through is a fire drill.”

McFadden said Moms Demand Action and similar organizations will continue to fight for the safety of children both in and out of the classroom. She is also calling on state legislators to start taking action.

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Adrianna Lawrence is a multimedia journalist at News13. Adrianna is originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and joined the News13 team in June 2023 after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2023. Keep up with Adrianna on Instagram, Facebook , and X, formerly Twitter . You can also read more of her work, here .

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