Democratic VP candidate Gov. Tim Walz speaks in Mesa ahead of presidential debate
MESA, AZ (AZFamily) – Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz said the Harris-Walz administration would “fix the epidemic” of mass shootings in America during an appearance Tuesday at the Mesa Convention Center that was briefly interrupted by protesters.
During a roughly nine-minute stump speech, Walz referenced last week’s school shooting in Georgia that left two students and two teachers dead.
“I’m a veteran and a hunter. I will not let them make this about the Second Amendment when our first responsibility is to the safety of our children,” he said.
The former teacher and football coach also criticized a recent comment by Republican Vice Presidential nominee J.D. Vance who suggested shootings are a “fact of life.” Vance also referenced legislation in the U.S. Senate designed to better protect schools and said “we’ve got to bolster security.”
“You want to know another fact of life?” Walz said Tuesday. “Trump got his ass kicked in the 2020 election and he’s gonna do it again.”
“They tell us we have to accept this, even though it doesn’t happen anywhere else” in the world, Walz continued. “But I’ll tell you what: we’re not going to roll over. This is America for God’s sakes, and we can fix this epidemic of shootings.”
Walz did not provide specifics on his plan to address shootings. The Harris-Walz policy agenda, released this week, said Harris will move to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, require universal background checks, and support red flag laws.
About two minutes into the Minnesota governor’s speech, the event was briefly interrupted by two pro-Palestinian protesters who shouted about genocide in Gaza.
The rest of the crowd tried to drown them out by shouting “U-S-A.” After a brief pause, Walz continued his stump speech over the commotion. The two women were escorted out of the building.
The event Tuesday drew a crowd of about 550, according to the Harris campaign, and it doubled as a watch party for the presidential debate.
When the debate ended and the crowd began clearing out, some of the Arizona staff of the Harris-Walz campaign stared at their phones in excitement.
“Taylor Swift just endorsed!” one exclaimed.
“Is that real??” said another.
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