“I’m tired of the moments of silence. That’s it,” said the eight-time NBA champion, hours after a shooter opened fire in a Texas elementary school, killing at least 18 children and 3 adults. Shooting of Dallas It took place in Uvalde, about 350 miles to the southwest, where the Warriors played the Mavericks Tuesday night.
Kerr accused senators of refusing to vote on a bill passed by the House in 2019 that would mandate universal background checks for gun purchases. Although polling shows that more than 90% of Americans support the idea, it has been difficult to sell to elected Republicans, many of whom receive significant campaign funding from gun lobbyists.
“So I ask you, Mitch McConnell, I asked all you senators who refuse to do anything about violence and school shootings and supermarket shootings,” Kerr said.
“I ask you: are you going to put your desire for power ahead of the lives of our children and our elders and our church-goers? Because that’s what it looks like.”
“We are being held hostage in Washington by 50 senators who refuse to even vote for it, despite what we, the American people, want.”
Kerr was dismayed, raising his voice and clapping his fist as he accused lawmakers of refusing to vote on the background check bill because “they want to hold on to their power.”
“It’s pathetic. I’ve had enough,” he concluded before suddenly leaving the room.
Kerr’s own family was devastated by gun violence. His father was shot and killed in Beirut in 1984. He often uses his platform to speak about gun control.
The NBA also issued a statement saying it was “devastated by the horrific shooting that took place today in Uvalde.”
“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the families and friends of the victims, and with the entire Robb Elementary School and Uvalde community,” it said.
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