ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. — In the wake of Monday’s mass shooting in downtown Louisville many people are calling on lawmakers to take action. Wednesday Rep. James Comer, R-Ky.. joined Republican gubernatorial candidate Kelly Craft (R) at a campaign stop, both were asked about the shooting.
“Those that are still in the hospital, still injured, Officer Wilt, we need to lift them up in prayers and we need to make certain that we commend our law enforcement as heroes,” Kraft said.
Comer agrees, “Senseless tragedy, I agree with everything Ambassador Craft said.”
When asked on what action can be taken to prevent another mass shooting like Monday’s, Comer and Craft point to mental health, saying more resources need to be made available.
“Unfortunately we can’t legislate against evil,” Comer said. “We have evil people in America and we have people that have mental health crises in America and, as I said earlier, not just in Kentucky, but all over America. We have more mental health issues with our children than I think we’re really aware of and it got worse because of shutdowns and the lockdowns during COVID.”
Craft added she’d like to see expanded mental health resources in schools and workplaces.
“We have a mental health crisis in the state of Kentucky, and we’ve just seen with this tragedy, what we’re finding out now about this young man. We need to make sure that there is not a stigma around mental health, that there are resources for every person in every corner of our state,” Craft said.
Craft was also asked about supporting red flag gun laws.
“I am not going to touch the second amendment,” Craft said.
Democrats have long called for stricter gun laws. In Washington, Republicans like Comer have not pointed to this as the answer.
“We need to invest resources and erase the stigma behind mental health,” Comer said.
A bipartisan-led solution to prevent the next mass shooting has yet to advance in Frankfort or D.C.
Following Monday’s shooting, several other leading Republican candidates for governor released statements, offering their prayers and condolences to those affected.