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SALT LAKE CITY — Hundreds of Utahns marched from West High School to the Utah Capitol building on Saturday joining in a national March for Our Lives effort to address gun violence in schools.
Natalie Reese, an organizer of the march, said it was in response to the recent shooting in an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. The national event, along with the Utah event, was organized in about two weeks, and Reese said she was pleased with the turnout.
"That alone shows that this is a really big issue and that people really care about it," Reese said.
She said the community support shows this is not just a student issue.
Reese is a BYU student from Florida who got involved with March for Our Lives after she had a friend die in a shooting at Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. After that, she decided she wanted to do something to make the world safer. Reese said it is important to have concrete solutions to address the issue.
The group marched over a mile uphill to the Capitol in over 90-degree heat. While they walked the group chanted "no more silence, end gun violence," along with "hey, hey NRA, how many kids have you killed today," and "vote them out."
Organizers asked school children and families of victims of gun violence to march at the front of the group.
James Glaubensklee and his family marched with signs and shirts with a photo of his son, Kelly Glaubensklee, a former Jordan High School football player who was shot and killed after a fight at a graduation party in 2021. Glaubensklee said his son was shot with a .40-caliber hollow point bullet, which he called a "death round." The person charged with shooting his son was 18.
Glaubensklee, a former member of the Marines and gun owner, said he understands the appeal of weapons, but he questions why someone should be able to legally buy such a powerful weapon at 18 at a gun show, although they have to be 21 to buy a gun at a store. He said the gun that was used to shoot his son was legally owned.
"No one's coming to take anyone's guns, that's what I hear all the time. ... They're not going to come and take anyone's guns. I don't want my guns taken from me. But at the same time, I don't want 18-year-olds running around with the type of guns, with the type of testosterone and 'out to prove something' until they're 21," Glaubensklee said.
He said a 21-year-old has more responsibility and experience and is less likely to take chances. He said he doesn't know why legislation raising the age can't get passed, especially in Utah.
Glaubensklee said he is not just marching because of his son's death, the issue has been important to them for a long time. His son marched with the family at a similar event in 2018.
"If you want to make a change, you need to get out and ... make sure your voice is heard," he said.
Savannah Pursglove, also a BYU student involved in March for Our Lives, said students are a priority.
"This is teaching them that they have a voice, they have an opinion, and they're going to be the ones to grow up and to be able to vote," she said.
Pursglove said their goal is to pass bills that will protect students. She said they are asking the U.S. Senate to pass the Protect our Kids Act, a series of eight bills approved this week by the U.S. House of Representatives.
"We're grateful for everyone that has taken the time to come out and to come support and show that they want their voices to be heard," she said.
