Presidential Hopeful Kirsten Gillibrand Visits, Focuses on Gun Violence
(Carey Gustafson, Crystal A. Proxmire, July 12, 2019)
Bloomfiled Hills, MI – Presidential hopeful and current US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York visited Bloomfield Hills Friday as part of her “Trump Broken Promises Tour.”
The five-term US Senator visited Birmingham Unitarian Church where she spoke and took lots of pictures with supporters in front of the tour bus before heading off to Flint and Lansing. She will return in two weeks for the Democratic Presidential debate at Cobo Hall.
Gillibrand took the stage at 10:25am, and immediately launched into the topic of gun violence reform, and the people directly affected by gun violence she’s met on the campaign trail.
A man named Larry was among the crowd that greeted the five-term Senator.  He was there with Moms Demand Action, a group encouraging elected officials across the county to look at the number of murders, suicides, and accidental deaths related to guns, and to address the problem.
Larry wanted to know what Gillibrand do to reduce gun violence.  Gillabrand explained that she would be working with activist Gabby Gifford, fighting the NRA “every step of the way.’
One specific change would be closing the “Boyfriend Loophole.” In many states, a person convicted of violence against their spouse is prohibited from owning a firearm.  However, a person convicted of violence against an intimate partner they are not married to, may. This, Gillibrand said, “doesn’t protect unmarried women, many in the LGBTQ communities, etc.”
“The NRA simply does not care about our lives,” she said.
Senator Gillibrand also talked about the future of gun manufacturing and the potential for owner IDs to operate firearms. This could reduce trafficking by making it harder to use stolen guns, and it could prevent accidental shootings, especially by minors who find guns in their home.
Celeste from Ann Arbor stood next, and asked if elected, what were Gillibrand’s intentions of administering “Red Flag” laws throughout the country.  Red Flag Laws allow the police or family members to petition a state court to order the temporary removal of firearms from a person who may present a danger to others or themselves. Celeste shared that her father had used a gun to end his life several years ago, just a day after her birthday.  She wanted to know if the potential candidate would push for red flag laws.
The answer, of course, was yes, along with a discussion about mental health, and the need to make a “national investment” in implementing mental health screenings, education, and support.  She called for hiring more nurses, counselors, and specially trained staff in schools, as well as more ways to detect problems in adults in hopes of reducing the mass shootings happening throughout the country.
Gillabrand encouraged the woman, “run for a seat!”
“The time is now, you don’t know what a strong voice you have,” she said.  Celeste, flattered, shyly waved her hand, but trust that in that moment those women had the entire room hanging on every word.
Afterwards, Senator Gillabrand took time to pose for selfies and talk to the attendees.
In April Presidential hopeful Senator Bernie Sanders visited Warren, and in March Beto O’Rourke visited Ferndale.
CNN’s most recent update has candidate’s “power rankings” as follows:  Joe Biden is first, Kamala Harris is second, Elizabeth Warren is third, Bernie Sanders is fourth, Pete Buttigieg is fifth, Cory Booker is sixth, Beto O’Rourke is seventh, Amy Klobuchar is eigth, Julian Castro is ninth and Andrew Yang is tenth.
Oakland County Times is inviting all candidates for office to do short video interviews for the 2019 and 2020 elections.  To set up an interview contact editor@oc115.com.
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