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Vice presidential nominees asked about sentencing of Oxford school shooter's parents

Posted on by Vanessa
Vice presidential nominees asked about sentencing of Oxford school shooter's parents

Two candidates hoping to become the country's next vice president asked a question during Tuesday night's debate that referenced the criminal convictions of James and Jennifer Crumbley, the parents of the Oxford High School shooter.

Earlier this year, different Oakland County juries found the Crumbleys guilty of involuntary manslaughter after their son shot and killed four classmates at Oxford High School in November 2021. Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Matthews sentenced them to 10 to 15 years in prison in April, saying they repeatedly missed opportunities to stop the tragedy.

Debate moderator and CBS anchor Norah O'Donnell noted Tuesday that earlier this year, for the first time, “the parents of a school shooter were convicted of involuntary manslaughter.”

“Do you think that parental responsibility could curb mass shootings?” O'Donnell asked Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance.

Vance, a U.S. senator from Ohio and Republican Donald Trump's vice president, responded that he didn't know all the details “on this particular case.”

“I certainly trust local law enforcement and local authorities to make those decisions,” Vance said. “I think in some cases the answer will be yes, and in some cases the answer will be no. And this is where the details really matter.”

Vance said it would be different for a child to steal a gun from their parents than for the parents to hand over a gun “knowing that their child is potentially dangerous.”

Earlier this month, Georgia prosecutors filed manslaughter charges against the father of a 14-year-old boy accused of killing two students and two teachers in a mass shooting at Apalachee High School on Sept. 4.

More: Legal experts say Crumbley's convictions pave the way for a case against the Georgia father

Vance, who is visiting Michigan for two campaign stops on Wednesday, said the country needs to do better on the “terrible epidemic of gun violence.” He criticized the use of illegal weapons and said, “We need to increase security in our schools.”

“We need to make sure the doors are locked better,” Vance said. “We have to make the doors stronger. We have to make the windows stronger. And of course we need to increase the number of school resource officers.”

“Because the idea that we can magically wave a magic wand and take guns out of bad guys’ hands just doesn’t fit with recent experience.”

Tim Walz, Minnesota Gov. and running mate for Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, said there are “sensible things we can do to make a difference” and that it doesn't make sense to “have some of these weapons out there.”

“Do you want your schools to look like a fortress?” Walz then asked.

More: Walz and Vance are focusing on attacks at the top of the ticket in the vice presidential debate

Harris has advocated banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, requiring universal background checks for firearm purchases and instituting red flags to prevent guns from ending up in the hands of people who pose a threat to themselves or others.

Walz did not specifically address the Crumbleys' convictions on Tuesday. However, during a visit to Grand Rapids on September 12, Walz mentioned the Oxford High School shooting. At that campaign event, Walz described himself as a veteran and a hunter.

“I know guns, you know guns,” he told the crowd at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. “By the way, as you found out, Kamala Harris is a gun owner. I will not put up with any nonsense (from Republicans) about the Second Amendment. We support the Second Amendment.”

“But our first responsibility,” Walz said, raising his right hand and index finger, “is the safety of our children. And you can have both.”

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Staff writers Julia Cardi and Kara Berg contributed.

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