Susan Swimm, the mother of Scottish dual citizen, Rory Swimm, who was shot and killed in Utah, US, is calling for an end to the United States’ “culture of hatred”. Utah police believe that Rory was killed by a 15-year-old boy who was given a handgun as a gift by his grandfather. The Swimms want Rory’s tragic death to lead to change and are advocating for more kindness and empathy in young people.
Speaking from the family home in Colorado, Susan said, “There’s a lack of culpability in America. It’s totally fine that you can go out and shoot somebody because it happens all the time here.” She went on to say that education needs to start with young teenagers to teach kindness and empathy for others.
Rory Swimm was killed in Salt Lake City in Utah a week after his 23rd birthday. His parents are now advocating for a change in gun laws in America and the end of gun culture in Utah. His father, Robb, talked of a boycott of America over its gun laws, just as there was a boycott of South Africa over apartheid.
Allison Anderman from the Gifford Law Centre, a US gun control campaign group, advised that “it is not illegal for someone to buy a gun as a bona fide gift for someone else.” Susan and Robb Swimm want it to be made illegal to buy a firearm for someone under 18 or to see new restrictions on where weapons gifted to teenagers can be stored.
The teenager who allegedly killed Rory has been charged with illegal possession of a handgun. The Swimms said a court hearing in January may determine whether the teenager is tried as a juvenile or an adult, a decision that will have a major impact on potential sentences if he’s convicted. Either way, the death penalty would not apply
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