Chardon High School shooting victim Nate Mueller goes to Washington urging action on gun violence

CHARDON, Ohio - Nate Mueller is a busy 17-year-old senior at Chardon High School. He’s a teen who had keen interest in the culinary arts, but his life changed nearly one year ago. Now, he plans to study political science in college.

Mueller made his first trip to Washington, D.C. this week, but it wasn't to sightsee. Mueller urged Congress to take action to end gun violence.

The teen was grazed by a bullet during the deadly shooting spree inside Chardon High School last year.

"I always kind of question why it wasn't an inch to the left and I'm here talking to you,” Mueller said.

Mueller was part of group that included 120 survivors and family members from 21 states who went to Washington, D.C., as part of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns' Demand A Plan Campaign.

As part of their meetings with members of Congress this week, the group advocated for legislation that would get military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines off the streets. It would require every gun buyer to pass a criminal background check and make gun trafficking a federal crime.

"It kind of makes me think I was made to go out and do something about it. And that's what I've been doing, trying to change the laws that need to be changed and make people safer. I feel like it's almost my duty," Mueller told NewsChannel5's Paul Kiska in the gazebo in Chardon Square on Friday.

"People think we want regulations and to take your guns away, and that's not the case. We just don't want guns to be in the hands of people who don't deserve it," Mueller said.

Three students were killed in the Feb. 27 shooting. Three others, including Mueller, were injured.

A new trial date for the shooting suspect has not been set.