Gun violence has stolen too many bright futures, shattered families, and shaken our communities here in Michigan’s 13th District. In 2023, it became the leading cause of death for American children and teens — a reality no parent should ever face.
Since November 2021, Michigan has endured at least two mass school shootings: Oxford High School (4 killed, 7 injured) and Michigan State University (3 killed, 5 injured). In June 2024, a gunman opened fire at a splash pad in Rochester Hills, wounding nine people, including children.
Beyond mass shootings, the toll is staggering:
- Michigan saw 1,504-gun deaths in 2022, including 71 among children and teens.
- Firearms are the leading cause of death for Michigan kids aged 1–17.
I support the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms. Many responsible gun owners in Michigan’s 13th District use firearms for sport, protection, and tradition. But rights come with responsibilities — and no right should come at the cost of our safety. We can protect the right to own a gun while also passing common-sense laws that keep dangerous weapons out of the wrong hands. Because safety is a right, too!
This crisis affects all of us — not just our students, but our teachers, our elders, our neighbors, and our communities. No one should be afraid to go to school, the grocery store, their place of worship, or a local park. We deserve to live free from fear.
We are not powerless. We can choose safety through:
- Universal background checks — with no exceptions.
- A ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines — weapons of war should not be in our neighborhoods or in the hands of civilians.
- Red flag laws — to intervene before someone in crisis causes irreversible harm.
- Closing loopholes in gun sales, including at gun shows and online — no unaccountable transactions.
- Funding for community-led violence prevention — neighborhood-led solutions rooted in trust and care.
- Deeper investment in mental health systems — so people get care before crises turn deadly.
- Trauma-informed training for law enforcement — equipping first responders with skills to de-escalate and heal.
Gun violence has taken too much — but together, we can reclaim our sense of safety. I’ll fight for a future where everyone — from preschoolers to grandparents — can live, learn, and gather without fear. Michigan deserves nothing less.