‘We Don’t Need Thoughts and Prayers, We Need Common Sense Gun Reform’
Those who try to blame Nashville shooter's transgender identity for the crime engaging in "moral panic," gun-reform advocate says
Lawmakers and others are reacting strongly following another mass shooting in the United States, this time at an elementary school in Nashville, Tenn, which left seven people dead, including the alleged shooter.
According to police, the shooter, Audrey Hale, drove a Honda Fit to a Christian, private elementary school, parking the car in the lot. Hale then shot through a side door to gain entry into the building, armed with an assault-style rifle, an assault-style pistol, and a handgun. She traversed the second floor of the school before opening fire. Police responded, ultimately killing Hale when they found the shooter still firing.
Six people – three children and three staff members – were killed in the mass shooting.
The victims were identified as students Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney, and Hallie Scruggs, all 9 years old; substitute teacher Cynthia Peak, 61; custodian Mike Hill, 61; and head of school Katherine Koonce, 60.
“We don’t need thoughts and prayers. We need common sense gun reform. This is ridiculous,” said Tennessee state Sen. Heidi Campbell (D). “… And we need common sense gun reform, and we need it yesterday.”
Gun-safety advocate Shannon Watts struck back at those trying to claim the Nashville shooting was somehow primarily a mental health matter because the alleged shooter apparently identified as transgender.
“That would not be their answer. And, look, they don’t seem to say anything about the huge spike in homicides among trans people in this country, up over 90 percent in the last few years. Most of that carried out with guns,” said Watts, a mother of five who founded the gun reform organization Moms Demand Action. “There have been hundreds and hundreds of mass shootings in the last few years alone. Most of them, as you said, by straight white men. And so, this is a moral panic. They want to focus on everything but the real issue, which is easy access to guns in this country.
“I’m the parent of a trans kid. I can tell you that I’m terrified right now, and it isn’t just easy access to guns, but it is these lawmakers who are essentially putting targets on these kids’ backs,” she added.
Rep Steve Cohen, a Democratic congressman from Tennessee, clearly was angry at the news of the shooting in his state.
“Right now in Congress it’s pathetic. It’s hard for me to serve up there now with some of the people I have to serve with,” he said. “They’re part of the danger. They could go — I’m not going to get into that — it’s just that they are so attached to guns and there’s no hope on them.”
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