This has been a difficult, heavy year for many Minnesotans. For many in America. And it goes beyond the price of gas or the unpredictable weather.
Here in Minnesota, we had the political assassination of Melissa Hortman, and the devastating Annunciation School shooting. Which led to the threats of Governor Walz calling a special session, not to pass any meaningful gun legislation, but as Walz insinuated, to get Republicans for record of their votes.
I ran for this office to help solve problems, and there is no issue I would rather fix than to bring safety and security to our children, schools, neighborhoods, and cities. This is a deeply complex issue. If only we had this magic ability with the vote of the legislature and the swipe of a pen to make everyone totally “safe,” I venture to guess we’d be all scrambling over each other to pass that law.
If gun legislation was the magic answer, would you agree that Chicago – which has some of the strictest gun laws in America - then must be one of our safest cities? If banning guns worked, then why did we just see a mass shooting in Australia after prohibiting semi-automatic firearms in 1996? If gun-free zones were effective, how did a violent criminal bring a gun on a 146-acre campus of Brown University and kill two students?
After the Annunciation shooting, I was alarmed and frankly disgusted to see how quickly the anti-gun activists hijacked and politicized the narrative. Children were still in surgery rooms nearby, when politicians stood up at a news conference and publicly claimed that gun legislation was what we needed to ensure Minnesotans’ “safety.”
Fear is an incredible thing. It drives people to action. People who are under duress and extreme fear are easier to manipulate and control. Knowing this as psychological fact, you then realize it’s not an accident when political rhetoric increases after tragedies. In this case, demands for gun legislation with the promises in return of your “safety”, never mind the shootings referenced above prove gun control doesn’t work.
The Annunciation Church shooting was an unconscionable tragedy. You know what else was a tragedy? A Lake City man allegedly shooting the owner of the local Subway restaurant over an apparent disagreement. So too was the former Stewartville wrestler who authorities believe shot a student on the Stewartville wrestling team and then killed himself.
These two incidents happened within a day of each other this month in southeastern Minnesota. Clearly, these individuals were all troubled, the same as any other individual who thinks violence is the answer to their problems.
If we are serious about reducing violence, shouldn’t every possible factor be on the table for discussion? Remember, we are basically two generations removed from kids driving to school with a loaded shotgun in the back of their pickup so they could go hunting after class – and no one batted an eye. What’s changed? We’ve always had guns. Are we brave enough to consider what else is contributing to our society’s violence epidemic?
Drastic increases in mental illness, depression and violence are happening in our society. Which of the following could be factors in these increases: children being over medicated for ADHD and anxiety, violent video games, lack of parenting, screen-time usage, decreased attention spans, alcohol, drugs, social media, or lower church attendance?
Are we serious about truly solving problems? If so, then let’s have some very honest and tough discussions. Rushing to blame a gun for someone’s actions is short-sighted and disingenuous at best. Falling for this heated political rhetoric, and allowing emotions to be overcome by fear, leads us to ignore every other contributing factor to the problem. Lulling us into believing “if only we legislate,” has proven to be a false safety.
2025 is nearly in our rearview mirror, and the Christmas season is upon us. It is the season of giving, and a season of happiness. Most of us know the reason for the season. Might the society shift we are seeking to lessen violence, be not in legislation, but simply found in a meek and humble baby born, named Jesus?
Peace to you and your families this holiday season. Merry Christmas.