LIVE THOUGHT: Two Things To Consider Before Discussing Gun Control

SAN ANGELO, TX -- It was one week ago yesterday in Uvalde, Texas in which we experienced one of the most horrific mass shootings in American history. As divided as our nation has become following this event due to gun control, I think we can all agree that it was pure evil that entered the halls of Robb Elementary School. But today, I’m not here to highlight the talking points of mainstream media but to bring attention to two issues that our nation for some reason or another refuses to talk about. Number 1. If you ask any member of local and state law enforcement about an issue that continues to plague our communities, they’re likely to tell you about mental health. Following the charade from Robert Francis O’Rourke last Wednesday during Governor Abbott’s press conference in Uvalde he brought up the issue of mental health in Texas. Robert Francis O’Rourke has his political beliefs and I have mine but when he brought up that the State of Texas ranks dead last in caring for people experiencing mental health issues he was absolutely right. Here recently, while producing campaign video content for the Republican Nominee for Tom Green County Judge Lane Carter one thing Mr. Carter wanted to address was mental health. In researching this issue, I discovered that 3,309,300 million Texans are living with mental illness. Just that stat alone from MentalHealthTX.org it made me realize this is something that we need to take seriously. Now not all mental health cases are not all about people who have lost their way but as law enforcement would tell you it has a lot to do with the use of narcotics. Number 2. What ever happened to family values or for that matter having a little faith? I didn’t come from the perfect home but by God Rosie and Jesse Diaz raised me to respect others and respect myself. More importantly it was having parental figures around that guided me to be a productive member of society. Not every family has both parents in the household but imagine if the young man from Uvalde, Texas had a mom not influenced by drugs, or a father figure in his life? Just imagine what that could have meant for those massacred a week ago? Perhaps we’re not having a conversation about a horrific mass shooting or gun control. Along with family values what happened to our faith? I’ll be the first to tell you I’m not the best Catholic in the world and won’t pretend to be either but once again imagine if the young man in Uvalde, Texas had a relationship with God or at least one with a local ministry group? These issues are tough pills to swallow for some but it’s the reality of where we’re at as a society and it’s a sad sight to see. I’m not here saying or pretending to have all of the answers but what if we took time to address these issues in our community. If we saw somebody that needed help? Think about it.