Elfreth Recognizes the Capital Gazette Shooting Anniversary on the House Floor

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03) took to the House floor to remember and honor the five journalists of the Capital Gazette who lost their lives on June 28, 2018, in a mass shooting in their Annapolis newsroom. Ahead of the seven-year anniversary on Saturday, the Congresswoman read the names of the five journalists who were killed, recognized the courage of their colleagues who published the paper on the following day, and called on Congress to take further action to protect the full freedoms of the press and pass common-sense gun safety legislation.

"Mr. Speaker, seven years ago on June 28th, 2018, a gunman who should have never been able to purchase a firearm, walked into the Capital Gazette and killed five members of our hometown newspaper: Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara, Rebecca Smith, and Wendi Winters," said Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth. "On this tragic anniversary, I want to make it clear on this House floor that as elected officials, we were not sent here to look away, to give up, or to offer our thoughts and prayers alone. That is why I rise today to remember the journalists we lost, to continue the fight for full freedom of the press and for common-sense gun safety legislation that protects all of our communities."

CLICK HERE or the image below to view Elfreth's full remarks.

Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth

Remarks as Delivered

Floor Speech

June 27th, 2025

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. 

Mr. Speaker, seven years ago on June 28, 2018, a gunman who should have never been able to purchase a firearm, walked into the Capital Gazette and killed five members of our hometown newspaper: Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara, Rebecca Smith, and Wendi Winters. 

Amid the shock and horror, just hours after the shooting, the Capital issued a simple statement: "We're putting out a damn paper tomorrow." And that they did. These journalists made clear that the Fourth Estate cannot be silenced, and they made Maryland damn proud. 

On this tragic anniversary, I want to make it clear on this House floor that as elected officials, we were not sent here to look away, to give up, or to offer our thoughts and prayers alone. That is why I rise today to remember the journalists we lost, to continue the fight for full freedom of the press, and for common-sense gun safety legislation that protects all of our communities. 

I yield back.

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