We need to stop gun violence

I am a gun owner who had an A rating from the NRA when I was in Congress. I strongly believe in the Second Amendment. However, it is crucial for our nation to confront the distressing reality that mass shootings have become increasingly prevalent in our society.

To address this issue, we need leaders who possess an open mind and are willing to implement common sense solutions. It is not a matter of undermining the Second Amendment, but rather finding a balanced approach that prioritizes public safety and the lives of America’s kids and grandkids while ensuring responsible gun owners have minimal impact.

Regardless of our stance on the Second Amendment, there is a shared desire among all of us to protect our children and ensure that firearms do not end up in the hands of individuals who pose a threat to society.

This is an area where we can find common ground and work together to develop effective measures.

Mass shootings have become alarmingly frequent in America, and it is imperative that we take immediate action to put an end to this devastating trend.

Uvalde is less than 90 miles from my home, and I proudly served them in Congress. In Texan terms — that’s right next door.

Nineteen students and two teachers were killed, families torn apart, and a profound sense of grief engulfed the nation once again.

This incident stands as a stark reminder of the grave consequences of not having adequate measures in place to prevent individuals with harmful intentions from committing violence.

Unfortunately, the Uvalde shooting is just one of the many such incidents that have plagued our nation.

From schools to places of worship, concerts to workplaces, mass shootings have become far too common, and the toll they take on our society is immeasurable.

Mass shootings in schools have become an alarming problem with far-reaching consequences.

But when you look at the data, and take a common sense approach, there are clear patterns. And where there are clear patterns, there are clear solutions.

1. The median age of a school shooter is 16. We see a huge drop-off of shooters once they reach 21.
2. 77% of mass shooters legally purchased at least some of their weapons. Over 80% of school shooters involving juveniles stole their guns from friends or family.
3. Nearly all shooters are males who plan their attacks in advance In almost every documented case of active shooters, warning signs were shown.

One of the contributing factors to these tragic events is the easy access to weapons with high-capacity magazines. No stringent background or red flag checks in place, making it relatively simple for potential assailants to obtain deadly firearms.