LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. John Damoose, R-Harbor Springs, issued the following statement on Wednesday after the tragic events at Michigan State University Monday evening:
“In the wake of yet another unspeakable mass shooting, it is time for all of us to do some real soul searching. I suspect within a few days, people from both sides of the aisle may be tempted to retreat to their own traditional corners in the debate of how to respond. We must make this time different.
“We all care deeply about what we can do to ensure these tragedies stop. We all care deeply about the grieving families and friends who have suffered a loss none of us should ever have to face. But if we actually want to solve this problem, we must be willing to identify the root causes and talk honestly and openly about a wide range of issues including, but not limited to:
- The devaluing of human life at every stage that has occurred over the last century.
- The current mental health crisis that is ravaging our society at every level.
- Firearms in the hands of criminals.
- A general breakdown of morality and faith throughout our culture.
- An entertainment culture that glorifies violence and desensitizes people to its impact.
- Degraded public and private discourse that fuels anger and division.
- Isolation and the breakdown of a sense of community.
- A generalized destruction of the rule of law and out of control crime.
- Inadequate support for law enforcement.
- Lack of enforcement of many laws that are already on the books.
“Individuals along every point of the political spectrum often refuse to consider these and many more issues. Until we face them head on, I fear we will never get to the real heart of the problem. But we must try. I believe our Lord expects nothing less.
“Action must be forthcoming, but for now, please join me in sincerely and deeply praying that God will comfort those who have lost so much and that he will give us all wisdom, guidance, and courage to help prevent this from ever happening again.”
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