President Donald Trump addressed the recent mass shootings that left at least 30 people dead. He condemned all forms of “racism, bigotry and white supremacy” on Monday, during a televised speech.
"These sinister ideologies must be defeated. Hate has no place in America," he said, "Hatred warps the mind, ravages the heart and devours the soul."
Trump added, “Mental illness and hatred pulls the trigger, not the gun,” and I could not agree more.
Many people are upset that the president did not call for more gun control, but that is not what we need. Taking guns from the good people means only the bad people will have them. If evil has a gun, I want one too.
The president did not specifically condemn anti-immigrant rhetoric on Monday, instead blaming violent video games and mental illness for the scourge of mass shootings that have been a steady drumbeat throughout his presidency. It is unclear if either of those were factors played a role in the Texas shooting or the second attack early Sunday morning in Dayton, Ohio.
Trump also voiced support for stronger death penalty legislation for those who commit mass shootings, putting additional resources and new tools toward helping to identify early warning signs before shooters act, and reforming mental health laws.
“We cannot let those killed in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, die in vain," Trump tweeted out Monday morning. "Likewise for those so seriously wounded. We can never forget them, and those many who came before them. Republicans and Democrats must come together and get strong background checks, perhaps marrying this legislation with desperately needed immigration reform. We must have something good, if not GREAT, come out of these two tragic events!”
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1158330513951735809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1158330513951735809&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcnews.com%2Fpolitics%2Fwhite-house%2Ftrump-calls-background-checks-after-shootings-suggests-tying-immigration-deal-n1039176
"The Media has a big responsibility to life and safety in our Country. Fake News has contributed greatly to the anger and rage that has built up over many years. News coverage has got to start being fair, balanced and unbiased, or these terrible problems will only get worse!" he added.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1158340095608610816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1158340095608610816&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcnews.com%2Fpolitics%2Fwhite-house%2Ftrump-calls-background-checks-after-shootings-suggests-tying-immigration-deal-n1039176
As terrible as these situations are, we must remember who is really to blame in scenarios like this. Not the gun, and not other gun owners. The shooter is to blame.
There are millions of responsible gun owners. If we were the problem, you'd know it.
