Minneapolis (CNN) — Jacob Frey clasped his hands together as he sat on the steps of the Catholic church where hours earlier a shooter opened fire on young children gathered in the pews inside.

“Don’t just say, this is about thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying,” the Minneapolis mayor said at a press conference on the scene on Wednesday. “They should be able to go to school or church in peace without the fear or risk of violence, and their parents should have the same kind of assurance.”

“These are the sort of basic assurances that every family should have, every step of the day, regardless of where they are in our country,” he added.

Frey’s plea was echoed by several Democratic leaders in Minnesota who renewed calls to address gun violence in the wake of th

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