PEORIA, Ill. — Addressing the mass shooting at a Texas elementary school this week, 17th District Congressman Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap) says to combat such violence, a multi-faceted plan is needed.
“We do need to look at our laws, and how we can fix something like this from happening again. Number two, I think we’ve got to focus on mental illness, behavioral health…and, we’ve got to put more money and more resources into that. Thirdly, we’ve got to enforce the laws on the books,” LaHood said.
LaHood told WMBD’s “The Greg and Dan Show”, right now federal law says if you’re a convicted felon, you shouldn’t have a gun. If you’ve been convicted of domestic violence, you can’t have a weapon. If you’ve been adjudicated or treated for mental illness, you shouldn’t have a gun.
So, LaHood said enforcement of federal law needs to be looked at, as well as school safety and “red flag” laws, which address people that could be a danger to themselves or others.
Locally, a new mental health facility for youth could help.
“We just announced three weeks ago $2 million that we were able to get as a grant that’s going to go to the Heddington Oaks facility. You talk to police, you talk to District 150, you talk to health professionals, we need a facility like that,” LaHood said.
LaHood said America is the only country in the world that has such a problem with school shootings.
“We ought to be able to address it, taking into consideration constitutional rights, privacy rights and civil liberties that we hold so dear…finding a proper balance,” LaHood said.
