In response to the devastating school shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a heartfelt and urgent statement condemning the persistent issue of gun violence in American schools.
She addressed the shooting incident during a campaign stop in New Hampshire, and called it a “senseless tragedy on top of senseless tragedies” and went on to say that “it doesn’t have to be this way.“
The shooting, which resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries, has once again highlighted the troubling reality faced by students and parents across the nation.
During her address, VP Harris expressed her profound sorrow for the victims and their families, and praised the first responders and law enforcement for their efforts.
She stressed the senselessness of the tragedy and criticized the ongoing epidemic of gun violence that forces parents to send their children to school with the fear of whether they will return home safely.
“It’s outrageous that every day in our country, parents have to send their children to school worried about whether or not their child will come home alive,” she said.
Harris, who recently completed a college tour meeting with young leaders, recounted how nearly every student she spoke with had experienced active shooter drills during their education. She compared this with the earthquake and fire drills of her own youth, highlighting the stark difference in the nature of today’s safety concerns.
“Our kids are sitting in a classroom where they should be fulfilling their God-given potential,” Harris said, “and instead, some part of their brain is concerned about a shooter busting through the door of the classroom. It does not have to be this way.”
The Vice President’s remarks underscore a call to action to address gun violence and ensure the safety of students nationwide.
Harris’s statement reflects a growing frustration and urgency to tackle this pervasive issue, advocating for meaningful change to prevent future tragedies.
