KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Gun violence was at the forefront of a round table discussion held by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday morning in Kalamazoo.
It featured a bipartisan group of parents, students, law enforcement officers, faith leaders and elected officials.
Their focus? Public safety and gun violence prevention measures.
#HAPPENING: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is in #Kalamazoo for a roundtable to discuss public safety & gun violence prevention measures.
— Lauren Kummer (@LaurenKummerTV) July 26, 2022
She will sign an executive directive in hopes to reduce gun violence and save lives. @FOX17 pic.twitter.com/veIleCrmRI
Around 20 individuals shared personal stories of gun violence and how it has impacted them. Many of them pleaded to Governor Whitmer with what they believe needs to change to keep more people in the community safe.
"We keep talking about it, and it is sad that it has become common place. It is sad that it is everyday news. It is sad that is acceptable rhetoric if you will," said Pastor Addis Moore with Mount Zion Baptist Church.
Day after day people continue to lose loved ones to gun violence.
"We were just outside being kids when a man with no heart came and changed my life forever," said Eynijah Roberson, a girl who lost her father back in March 2020.
"We’re here on the perspective of domestic violence and gun violence with the inner connection. She actually was murdered, and then he killed himself," said Rick and Martha Omilian, the parents of a woman killed by her ex-boyfriend.
Story after story, a girl who lost her father and parents who lost their daughter, and several others shared gun experiences and negative impacts they've had on communities.
"As the number one killer of children, as a parent, I just find it unacceptable and we need to do something," said Scott Markham, a father of two boys.
"I would like to propose some sort of resource for students and teachers in schools perhaps to address concerns of fellow classmates and students and address these problems before they grow," said Isaac Sullivan, a senior at Kalamazoo Central High School.
Students, parents of students, counselors, and hunters asking for stricter laws like mandatory background checks, gun education, funding for services and resources, and support for red flag laws.
"I heard no-one at this table say ‘Let’s take away guns’. This is not what this is about. It is about making sure that the guns people have have legally. That they are trained in it and are safe and locked up when not using them. It’s also about protecting ourselves by protecting the people around us who are in trouble," said Omilian.
Governor Whitmer signed an executive directive to invest all available federal resources into crime and gun violence intervention and prevention in state government departments and local law enforcement agencies.
JUST NOW: Gov. Whitmer has signed an executive directive coordinating and investing all available federal resources within state government departments and law enforcement agencies into crime and gun violence intervention and prevention. @FOX17 pic.twitter.com/hJ74FQCBtO
— Lauren Kummer (@LaurenKummerTV) July 26, 2022
Like many of those who spoke, she said it's compromised of puzzle pieces.
"It’s not just one aspect of what is happening but multiple that are contributing to the climate that we are all addressing," said Governor Whitmer.
All of this comes right after Governor Whitmer signed a record budget into law to help communities fund local law enforcement departments and hire more first responders.
