Quote of the Day: “Gun ownership is a right and with these rights come responsibility. These charges are intended to hold individuals who contributed to this tragedy accountable, but also to send a message. We need to do better in this country. We need to say enough is enough. For our kids, teachers and all of us.” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald, at a press conference today.
A Second Quote of the Day: “It’s a strong statement that I hope people will pay attention to and get this message that, if you decide that you’re going to bring a gun into your home, and you have underage youth — particularly if they have issues — you better darn secure those guns.” Daniel Webster, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Prevention and Policy.
I have watched many press conferences over the years, and I do not recall ever seeing a prosecutor as upset and “pissed off” as Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald was today. This tragedy was preventable, and she was not shy about saying so.
She was not shy about saying our state’s gun laws regarding security of guns in a home where minors are present are unacceptable and need to be changed. Michigan does not have laws requiring gun owners to secure their weapons when children are present in a home,
She was “pissed” that Ethan Crumbley was allowed to go back into the classroom after the meeting with the parents and school administration. McDonald said a student who wrote such a note should never have been returned to the classroom. “I’m not going to give you a political answer, and I’m not going to cover for anybody,” McDonald said. “But of course, he should not have been allowed to go back to that class. I believe that is a universal position. I’m not going to chastise or attack.”
She was “pissed” that the parents failed to ask Ethan if he had the gun in is backpack during the 10 AM meeting with the school staff on the day of the shooting. “I expect parents to have humanity and step in and stop a potential tragedy,” McDonald said. “I have tremendous compassion and empathy for parents with children who are struggling, for whatever reason,” she added. “But the facts in this case are so egregious. The notion that a parent could read those words, and know their son had access to a deadly weapon.”
She was “pissed” that the mom and dad lied on the gun application by saying the gun was for the dad, and then the mom posted a picture of the gun saying it was a present for their son. “When you indicate that you’re buying a weapon, and you sign that, it’s for yourself. But clearly, based on the statements of the shooter, the statements of the mom, that was not the case.
She was “pissed” that the mom after she was called to come into the school because of disturbing pictures Ethan had drawn, texted Ethan saying “LOL, I’m not gonna get mad at you, you have to learn to not get caught.”
Here is a link for the full press conference. Go to the 16-minute mark to hear prosecutor Karen McDonald’s press conference
I am also attaching another other link I have found to be very informative.
What are you doing today to stop the gun violence? What are you doing today to expand mental health services for those in need? What are you doing today to make sure your guns are not are accessible to minors in your household?
Stay Safe. Social Distance. Wear your mask when indoors in public places. Schedule your vaccine and booster.
Orchid of the Day: Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald
Onion of the Day: I want to give an onion to anyone who could have stopped the Oxford High School shooting but didn’t step up. I won’t do it because I will be using hindsight which is always easier than real time.