Following a tragic school shooting in Georgia, JD Vance, the Republican who mistakenly believes he is fit for the role of vice president, made a statement at a rally on Thursday night: “We may not like the reality we face, but that’s the reality we have.”

Excuse me, what? A 14-year-old is reportedly suspected of using an assault-style rifle – allegedly a present from his father – to shoot and kill two classmates and two teachers, injuring nine others. The impact of such school or mass shootings extends far beyond the immediate victims and their families; many children and adults are left with lasting trauma.

And Vance’s reaction the day after this tragedy is to say, “that’s just the way it is”? I apologize for the candid language, but Vance can (expletive) off if he’s ready to accept that children with guns regularly engaging in violence in our schools is a normal state of affairs that we must simply tolerate.

Vance describes school shootings as ‘simply a part of life’ just a day after the Georgia incident

At that rally in Arizona, Vance remarked: “I don’t like that this is the norm. However, if someone is determined to make headlines, they see our schools as easy targets. We must improve security in our schools to ensure that if someone enters intending to harm children, they are unable to do so.”

However, the real ‘psycho’ here – to use Vance’s own language – is the politician who looks at a school shooting like the one in Georgia and simply says, “That’s the way it is. All we can do is increase armed security and set up bulletproof glass and metal detectors.”

Look, we can and need to do a lot more than that, and everyone knows it.

There are many actions we can take to reduce school shootings

We could put a ban on AR-15-style rifles, like the one allegedly used in the Apalachee High School incident. Such firearms have been used in mass shootings in places like Uvalde, Texas, Buffalo, Dayton, Ohio, El Paso, and Pittsburgh. They’re a favored choice among mass shooters.

We could support laws that mandate safe firearm storage, something that is currently lacking in Georgia. We could push for mandatory background checks, which are not enforced in Georgia. We could also require permits for gun purchases, which Georgia does not do now.

Moreover, we could allocate funds to make mental health services more accessible to all Americans. And certainly, we can enhance security measures at schools.

But giving up and saying that school shootings are just part of our reality? That is weak. That is unacceptable. That is a clear departure from true leadership.

Harris wisely stated ‘it doesn’t have to be this way’

In contrast to Vance’s dismissive attitude, Democratic presidential contender Kamala Harris expressed her views on the day of the Georgia shooting: “This is yet another senseless tragedy, adding to so many we’ve faced. It’s infuriating that parents in our country have to send their kids to school fearing for their safety and whether they will return home alive. It’s simply unacceptable.”

She insisted, “We must put an end to this epidemic of gun violence in our nation once and for all. It doesn’t have to be like this.”

Absolutely. Politicians who fail to assert that “it doesn’t have to be this way” are neglecting their duty to protect the safety of Americans, particularly our children.

The ‘Too soon!’ crowd appears resigned to inaction

Republicans often criticize liberals for discussing gun control immediately following a school shooting, shouting “Too soon!” Yet here they are, allowing their vice presidential candidate to casually remark the day after two school children were tragically shot, “Well, what can we do?”

Vance has always shown himself as an ineffective politician and an embarrassment in public speaking, but now he’s taken it to another level. This individual should not be anywhere near the presidency.

Moreover, he certainly should not tell us that the horrific reality of school shootings is something we must simply accept.

Not a chance.

And, quite frankly, I have no respect for him.

Stay updated with YSL News columnist Rex Huppke on X, formerly Twitter, @RexHuppke and Facebook at facebook.com/RexIsAJerk