South Dakota flags are ordered at half-staff to memorialize the recent shooting at an elementary school in Nashville.
In Washington, one of South Dakota’s congressional leaders say it’s too soon to act on gun reform.
An armed assailant attacked a private elementary school at the Covenant Presbyterian Church near Nashville, Tennessee. Six people, including three children were killed in the shooting.
When asked about changes to gun laws, Sen. John Thune, the second-ranking Republican in the US Senate, said he and other GOP colleagues want to wait for results of the investigation.
“In response to what happened to the horrific shooting in Nashville, we all—our thoughts are with the families of the victims in the community. We are thankful for the quick, rapid response of law enforcement," Thune said Tuesday. "I think, with respect to any discussion of legislation, it’s premature. There’s an ongoing investigation. I think we need to let the facts come out."
Thune has served in the US Senate during four of the five deadliest active shooter attacks at elementary schools since 1970. From Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut in 2012 to Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas in 2022. Both shootings took the lives of over 20 people. Those involved assault-style weapons.
Some have blamed the lack of action on gun control on groups like the National Rifle Association. Thune received $9,900 from the National Rifle Association for his 2022 reelection bid. The organization gives Thune an A+ rating.
Another A+ recipient is US Sen. Mike Rounds, who says all elementary school shooters want to hurt innocent children. He’s pushing for the federal government to transfer money from an account for solar panels for schools instead to reinforce security measures. Rounds gave examples of bulletproof glass, security personnel and stronger locking mechanism.
“I think that should have a higher priority,” Rounds said. “This particular one would allow for $100 million per year allocated for security of any sort based on what local schools would apply for through the states.”
Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson, another NRA A+ recipient, said violence has no place in our country.
"I grieve with the families and the community at Covenant School. There is no simple solution to this problem, but we need to do so much more to address the mental health crisis plaguing our nation," Johnson said in a statement. "I have supported robust funding for mental health programs in the past and will continue to advocate for those moving forward.”
According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 130 mass shootings in the US this year.
Since 2020, firearms have killed more children in the US than any other cause.
