Erik Paulsen: “Last weekend, an act of terror took place at a St. Cloud, Minnesota, mall. On Saturday night, 10 people were stabbed at…”

“Last weekend, an act of terror took place at a St. Cloud, Minnesota, mall. On Saturday night, 10 people were stabbed at the Crossroads Mall before the attacker was fatally shot by an armed off-duty police officer on the scene. Thankfully, none of the victims were killed, and all are expected to make full recoveries. The attack is yet another troubling reminder of the growing threat that Americans do face here at home. The quick reaction of the armed off-duty police officer, Jason Falconer of Avon, likely stopped this from being an even greater tragedy. He is a hero for his bravery, his courage, and his selflessness to protect those who were in danger that night. Our law enforcement officers put themselves in harm's way, and they deserve our utmost respect for the risks and the difficult decisions that they make each and every day. Mr. Speaker, the safety of our citizens must remain a top priority, and I will continue to work to ensure that our law enforcement agencies have the resources that are necessary to protect American lives. ____________________”