Waxman to Host Forum on Gun Violence Following Santa Monica Shootings

Rep. Henry Waxman will hold a forum next week on gun violence, mental health and community recovery in the aftermath of the Santa Monica shootings.

The forum is set for 10 a.m. Monday, July 15 in the Santa Monica City Council Chambers.  

Santa Monica Mayor Pam O’Connor, California State Senator Ted Lieu, and L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky are slated to also take part.

In the days following the shooting, Waxman called on Congress to take the type of guns used at Santa Monica College off the streets of the United States.

"This is the seventh mass shooting in the last year,'' Waxman said. "Enough is enough. It's well past time that Congress take action to keep these dangerous weapons off our streets."

Five people were killed in the June 7 Santa Monica shootings. John Zawahri, 23, killed his father and brother before setting the family home on fire. Zawahri then carjacked a vehicle and forced a woman to drive to Santa Monica College as he fired on bystanders. Zawahari was killed by responding Santa Monica College and Santa Monica Police officers.