‘We need to improve the security of school doors’: Vance addresses school shootings during VP debate
During the CBS News Vice Presidential Debate on Tuesday, candidates Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. JD Vance examined policies related to gun control.
Democratic VP candidate Kamala Harris emphasizes the need to tackle gun violence as a central theme of her campaign, highlighting that she and Walz are both gun owners.
The debate moderator noted that firearms are the leading cause of fatalities among children and teenagers. The conversation between Walz and Vance became particularly emotional as they expressed their fears about their children’s safety amid gun violence. Vance, who generally opposes stricter gun control, was first asked how to reduce mass shootings and if parents should be held responsible.
Here’s what he expressed:
Vance: ‘We need to enhance school security’
Throughout the debate, Vance consistently linked gun violence to immigration problems at the border.
As part of his strategy to combat school shootings, he suggested enhancing security measures in schools.
“I don’t want my kids going to a school that feels unsafe or has obvious signs of security, but we sadly need to bolster school security,” Vance remarked. “We should improve the locking mechanisms on doors. We need to strengthen the doors and windows while increasing the number of school resource officers.”
Walz: ‘We owe it to our children to solve this issue’
In response to Vance, Walz argued, “Is your vision of schools one that resembles a fortress?”
Walz highlighted his accomplishments in Minnesota, including implementing more rigorous background checks for purchasing guns.
Echoing Harris’s message on the campaign trail, Walz shared that he is also a hunter and gun owner, countering the misconception that advocating for background checks equates to a desire to remove guns from citizens.
“We recognize the importance of the Second Amendment, but our foremost duty is to our children, and we need to address this issue,” he stated.
Catch the Vice Presidential Debate:
You can view the recorded CBS News Vice Presidential Debate from Tuesday, October 1,
