'Heartbreaking', 'unacceptable': Mayor on gun violence plaguing U.S. after deadly Brown shooting - The Weekend - MS NOW

[Rhiannon12866]

Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island Brett Smiley joins The Weekend to discuss the deadly shooting at Brown University and what comes next for the community. - Aired on 12/14/2025.

[Deuxcents]

1. It has been unacceptable since Labor Day, 1949, when 13 people were murdered in Philadelphia

But, here we are in 2025 and the rampage has not only been acceptable, but anticipated so our school children are taught drills, how to hide and seek shelter. Serious gun violence laws are not enacted..it’s too early to talk about that now..thoughts n prayers and whatever our elected has come up with to not deal with this plague. Australia has strict gun laws and after this weekend, you can bet they will seriously clamp down on gun issues. We won’t.

[Rhiannon12866]

2. I remember when there was that terrible shooting in New Zealand and those guns were immediately prohibited

Back in 1994 President Clinton was able to pass the Assault Weapons Ban with the support of all our then-living former presidents, Carter, Ford and Reagan. But then George Bush* took office and he let the ban lapse. How many shootings and deaths could have been prevented if that ban was still in place?? And the Republican Party of today is no help at all, I still remember when Steve Scalise was shot at that congressional baseball practice and left in critical condition, but he is still an outspoken supporter of "gun rights."