What your RI gubernatorial candidates say after the Texas school shooting

Following the mass shooting in Texas at an elementary school, candidates for office in Rhode Island and politicians throughout the US issued statements on their thoughts to keep children safe and prevent more mass shootings.

In Rhode Island, the gubernatorial candidates issued statements – others posted their comments on social media. Here is what we found for the major candidates for Governor of Rhode Island:

Governor Dan McKee

Issued statement – “Too many lives have been tragically cut short by senseless gun violence across our nation – we cannot allow this to continue. We need action now, here in Rhode Island and in our nation’s capital. Last year, I was proud to sign into law the Harold M. Metts School Safety Act and legislation that bans straw purchases of firearms. However, further action is needed to keep our communities safe. That’s why, I joined Rhode Island’s General Officers in submitting legislation this session to ban high-capacity magazines and assault weapons. It’s time for the General Assembly to act immediately and pass those common-sense gun safety bills and send them to my desk for signature – it is time.”

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Ashley Kalus – Republican candidate for Governor

Issued statement – “No mom or dad should have to worry about their child’s safety when sending their son or daughter to school in the morning,” Kalus said. “Yesterday’s shooting in Texas was a tragedy beyond comprehension, and it’s our responsibility to work together toward solutions — refusing to unite as lawmakers comes at the expense of our children’s safety.  We must bring community leaders together — teachers, parents, administrators, law enforcement, security experts, mental health professionals, and parents — to address school safety. Our existing gun laws need to be enforced to the fullest extent, and every school in our state should have a police officer present to defend our vulnerable children from these heinous and disgusting perpetrators. We must invest in mental health services to ensure we stop these devastating acts of violence before they occur. This is not a republican issue nor a democratic issue, and partisan politics have to be put aside for the sake of our children. Together, we can make Rhode Island the example for the rest of the Nation about how to protect the most vulnerable among us and restore our children’s right to a safe, secure, and equitable learning environment.”

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Matt Brown – Democrat candidate for Governor

Posted on Twitter – “Words from politicians aren’t what we need in response to another mass shooting. Neither is politicians lamenting that other politicians failed us. Of course, they’ve failed us. What we need is to oust them & elect people who will change things – in every state & town in the US.

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Helena Foulkes – Democrat candidate for Governor

Posted on Facebook – “Every parent’s worst nightmare and it happens again and again and again. I cannot imagine the pain families in Uvalde are feeling. Action on gun safety now.

Posted on Twitter – Supporting legislation that would prevent RIers from legally buying weapons of war that can be used to massacre children isn’t “partisan politics.” It’s common sense.

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Nellie Gorbea – Democrat candidate for Governor

Issued Statement – “We need to immediately ban high-capacity magazines and assault weapons – citizens should not be able to purchase the same guns that are used in war-zones. We must ensure that our schools and social programs have the funding they need to address the gaps in mental health care that are impacting Rhode Island families. Finally, we need to work with law enforcement to strengthen and expand gun buyback programs to get more guns off the street. As governor, I would bring together diverse community partners including gun reform advocates, teachers, school administrators, students, faith leaders, law enforcement, mental health professionals, elected officials, responsible gun owners, and people who sell guns to pass comprehensive legislation to address our gun violence crisis. Through these conversations the priority must always be that people are more important than guns. Rhode Islanders deserve to learn, work, play, worship, and shop without fear of gun violence. An overwhelming majority of Rhode Islanders favor gun reform; from high-capacity magazine and assault weapon bans to stringent background checks–this includes a majority of firearm owners in our state. We cannot allow what happened in Uvalde, Buffalo, Orlando, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Irvine, Sandy Hook, Charleston, and so many other communities across our country, to happen here. Gun safety legislation in Rhode Island must be fast-tracked during this legislative session. We need elected leaders who are going to take action and get it done. I have a long history of supporting reforms that reduce gun violence and the advocates who so passionately work to keep Rhode Islanders safe. I will continue this fight starting on day one as governor.”

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Luis Daniel Munoz – Democrat candidate for Governor

Posted on Facebook – My heart and prayers are with the families whose loved ones, and whose children, were killed by an act of gun violence today.

Posted on Twitter – Can’t stop thinking about the children and those who died trying to protect them … Vote for those with the courage to push, at the detriment of re-election, for substantive programmatic #change. ‘Lukewarm’ candidates who appease and serve wealthy donors won’t cut it.