Maggie AstorCompte certifié

In talking about public schools, and the importance of education in preventing violence, Harris sharply criticizes Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. "She's trying to put guns in the hands of teachers. You know what those teachers want? They want a raise."

Harris says we need to abandon "the idea that the way you get safety in a community is to put more police on the streets. That will not be effective. That is reactive. That is not clear about the goal."

A trauma surgeon asks how Harris would prevent people who are suicidal from getting guns. (He's at the event with 3 other surgeons and says, "Frankly, this is our lane." Clear jab at the NRA, whose leaders have said doctors who call for gun control should "stay in their lane.")

Harris says universal background checks can identify some people who might be a danger to themselves, as can red-flag laws. She criticizes people who suggest that improving mental health services is an alternative to changing gun laws. "We need to do both."

Melvin asks whether Harris is concerned that anything she accomplishes through executive action, instead of legislation, could be overturned by the next president. "Craig," she says, "I will deal with that in eight years."

"Come to me with this problem in eight years, but right now I'm fixing to do something about it," Harris says after talking about how terrified many students and teachers are.

An audience member asks how Harris interprets the 2nd Amendment. "It's back to my point about false choice," she says. "You can respect the 2nd Amendment, you can respect the traditions of hunting…"

"...you can respect all that and understand that an assault weapon, let’s be really clear about this, an assault weapon was designed to kill a lot of human beings quickly. It’s the design of the thing..."