KAUKAUNA — Reactions are coming in from local candidates calling for change following yet another mass shooting in the United States.
The latest reports by Wednesday morning say 19 children and two teachers were killed Tuesday at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde in Uvalde, Texas.
Officials say an 18-year-old student at the nearby high school in Uvalde, about 85 miles west of San Antonio, stormed into the school and began shooting before law enforcement killed him.
“Freedom is not worrying about whether or not your children make it through the school day alive or not. This madness must end,” said Outagamie County Executive and senate candidate Tom Nelson in a statement released Tuesday.
“From Texas to New York City to Laguna Woods to Buffalo, mass shootings have shocked the conscience of this nation over recent weeks. We must enact serious gun violence legislation that gets at the heart of this epidemic so we no longer have to live in constant fear of the next tragedy. It begins by dismantling the NRA and defeating politicians like Ron Johnson who empower them.”
Tom Nelson
Joey Van Deurzen, candidate for the 5th Assembly District, said that those flagged by law enforcement and mental health professionals cannot deadly weapons like the ones used in the Texas shootings.
My generation was prepared for events like what happened in Uvalde today. In elementary and middle school we were taught to huddle together with the lights out in a corner away from the door; as if the potential assailant would somehow believe that no one was in school today. In high school we were told to fight back. To barricade the door by whatever means necessary. To throw books and computers and anything else at the attacker. One teacher even kept a metal bar used for science demonstrations by the door in case the dreaded day would come. We were taught to be prepared for events that luckily we never faced.
Our society has put all the responsibility on the kids and teachers to protect themselves. We need to do better. We need to expand our gun laws to ensure that those flagged by law enforcement and mental health professionals cannot purchase these weapons. I say this as someone that grew up hunting and shooting guns, as someone that is a responsible gun owner. Yes, there are responsible gun owners, but this cannot mean that we ignore the reality and harms happening in front of us. We need to ensure each gun purchased involves a thorough background check. We need a mental health system that can find and treat all those that are a danger to themselves and others.
Students and educators need our support. It is time we step up to do what clearly needs to be done.
Joey Van Deurzen
School has now been canceled for the rest of the school year in Uvalde and the graduation ceremony will be addressed at a later time, according to a statement from the district.
Uvalde CISD Staff are to report to their campuses tomorrow. School counselors will be available at all campuses to provide counseling support. Surrounding community counselors will be available at the Civic Center tomorrow to assist the Robb students, parents and faculty with counseling support.
“This is a tragic time in our district, we will come together to begin the healing process. This is a difficult time for everyone, however the gentle support all school community members give to each other during this time is the first step in healing,” read the statement.
.
.
