Missouri Deserves Better: Senator Schmitt’s Weak Gun Violence Response
Gun violence is a pressing issue in Missouri and across the country, yet when we reached out to Senator Eric Schmitt to ask about solutions, his response offered no concrete policy commitments—just the same political deflection we’ve heard time and time again.
Schmitt’s response focused on mental health, substance abuse, and crime prosecution, but completely ignored evidence-based gun violence prevention measures like background checks, red flag laws, and community-based intervention programs. While mental health resources and community engagement are important, they alone do not address the root causes of gun violence—namely, easy access to firearms, weak gun laws, and a lack of proactive prevention policies.
📌 Breaking Down Schmitt’s Response
In his letter, Schmitt acknowledges the rise in gun violence, stating:
“The loss of life to violence across our country, most recently in Wisconsin, is certainly a major concern – I want everyone to feel safe in the communities in which they live.”
However, rather than proposing proven policy solutions, Schmitt shifts the focus to:
✅ Mental health
✅ Substance abuse
✅ Prosecutors failing to hold criminals accountable
These issues cannot be ignored, but they do not explain why the U.S. has significantly more gun deaths than other developed nations with similar mental health challenges. What’s missing? Any mention of:
❌ Universal background checks – Closing loopholes that allow people to buy guns without screening
❌ Red flag laws – Temporarily removing guns from individuals at risk of harming themselves or others
❌ Federal funding for gun violence prevention programs – Supporting community-driven solutions proven to reduce crime.
📢 Why Gun Violence Prevention Needs Policy, Not Deflection
The data is clear—states with stronger gun laws have fewer gun deaths.
• Background checks work – In states that require background checks for all gun sales, there are 35% fewer firearm homicides.
• Red flag laws save lives – States that implement these measures see fewer suicides and mass shootings.
• Community intervention reduces violence – Programs like Cure Violence have reduced shootings by 40-70% in some cities.
Despite overwhelming evidence, Schmitt refuses to engage in a discussion on these policies, instead using politically convenient scapegoats to shift responsibility away from legislative solutions.
🚨 Missourians Deserve Real Answers – Here’s How to Take Action
Gun violence is not just a talking point—it’s an urgent public health crisis affecting our families, communities, and schools. If Senator Schmitt truly cares about making Missouri safer, he must be willing to discuss real solutions.
📢 Take Action:
✔ Call Senator Schmitt’s office and demand a real stance on gun safety policies: 📞 314-230-7263
✔ Email him and ask whether he supports universal background checks and red flag laws:
✔ Share this blog post and encourage others to speak up!
We can’t afford to let our leaders sidestep responsibility. The time for action is now.
