Hal Rogers: “This country has been rocked by the outbreak of violent shootings and the senseless loss of life in our schools this…”

“This country has been rocked by the outbreak of violent shootings and the senseless loss of life in our schools this past year. My hometown of Springfield, OR is still struggling with the pain and devastation of one of those shootings. Like my friends and neighbors, I've looked for answers and solutions to these tragic events. It's clear there's no single, or simple, solutions to prevent these acts from re-occurring when school starts in the fall. But the circumstances around the Springfield incident has focused attention on a shortcoming in current law. When a student takes a gun to school, it should set-off alarm bells. Someone should take a look at that student's life and see what would be causing that type of behavior, but instead, police officers are asked to make a judgment call about the youth's state of mind and determine whether, or not, they pose a threat to themselves or the community. But many law enforcement officials don't want that discretion. Many law enforcement officials feel these students should be detained and evaluated by a professional before being released back into the community.”