On Wednesday, the nation was rocked with the news of yet another school shooting. This time, the scene of the violence was a high school in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people were killed and many more wounded after a disgruntled former student returned to the campus and opened fire.
This shooting is far from the first of its kind. There have already been a number of school shootings in the U.S. this year, although this one, thanks to the casualty count, has become one of the most high profile of the incidents. In total this year, well over 300 young Americans between the ages of 12 and 17 have been wounded or killed in a gun violence incident.
Considering the violence, all eyes have again turned to D.C., as the federal government continues to limp along, seemingly unable to accomplish anything meaningful when it comes to gun control.
On Thursday, in the midst of the national outcry over how to best respond to the incident, the president finally made an appearance in front of the camera to offer remarks to the troubled nation.
After recounting the specifics of the violence, Trump commented:
‘Our entire nation with one heavy heart is praying for the victims and their families. To every parent, teacher and child who is hurting so badly, we are here for you, whatever you need, whatever we can do, to ease your pain. We are all joined together as one American family and your suffering is our burden also. No child, no teacher should ever be in danger in an American school. No parent should ever have to fear for their sons and daughters when they kiss them goodbye in the morning.’
Trump is not off point in his remarks. However, unless he follows them up with concrete steps to stop incidents like the shooting in Parkland from happening again elsewhere, his words mean nothing.
Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives Seth Moulton no doubt spoke for many of us when he replied to a message of condolences offered by the president on Twitter by writing:
‘I agree with every word Donald Trump said here. I invite him to get off his ass and join me in trying to do something about it.’
The president has, since taking office, only signed one gun related measure — a measure that made it easier for certain seriously mentally ill people to buy guns.
He has, in the wake of the Parkland tragedy, opted to focus on mental illness as a supposed underpinning of the tragedy, suggesting on Twitter that community members bear some responsibility for not having reported the shooter’s past troublesome behavior.
To that effect, the president invited American children to seek “help” if they need it during his on camera remarks offered early this Thursday.
Besides his other remarks, Trump also quoted the Bible during his remarks and also revealed that he is planning on visiting Parkland, Florida. Additionally, he touted a meeting to be had between him and governors and attorney generals from across the country later this month as an opportunity to develop ways to make American schools safer.
Check out the video below.
Featured Image via Screenshot from the Video
