Following the news of the horrific shooting at a school in Nashville, Valerie Bertinelli has spoken out calling for a ban on assault rifles.
On Monday (March 27), a shooter armed with two assault-style rifles and a handgun entered a Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee where they opened fire, killing three students and three workers.
The victims were later identified by police as Evelyn Dieckhaus, nine, Hallie Scruggs, nine, and William Kinney, nine, Cynthia Peak, 61; Mike Hill, 61, and Katherine Koonce, 60. Koonce was the head of the school, as per officials.
The shooter, who was identified as 28-year-old graphic designer Audrey Hale, was shot and killed at the scene approximately 14 minutes after a 911 call was made to authorities.
As per a report by ABC News, Nashville Police Chief John Drake had said the suspect was "born a female and identified as transgender." A police spokesperson later told the outlet that Hale was assigned female at birth but pointed to a social media account linked to the shooter that stated their pronouns were he/him.
Drake also added that the suspect is believed to be a former student.
The school's president and CEO Cyrus Vatandoost confirmed the news via a statement to ABC, saying of Hale: "While at our school, she was a talented artist and a good student," before adding: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family, to the victims and their families and to our city."
A post on the school's official Facebook account alleged that Hale received an award for having a strong academic performance, but this post has since been removed.
In the aftermath of the horrific incident, many have taken to social media to express their shock as well as their frustration at the lack of change when it comes to gun laws in the United States - a debate that has dominated headlines for well over two decades.
Leading the conversation was none other than Bertinelli who took to Twitter to double down on her long-standing opinion.
She wrote: "Ban assault rifles not tiktok. Ban assault rifles not books. Ban assault rifles not voting rights. Ban assault rifles not reproductive rights. Ban assault rifles not health care. Ban assault rifles not trans rights. Ban assault rifles not gay marriage. Ban assault rifles."
In the comments, many agreed with the 62-year-old.
"Thank you for speaking up @Wolfiesmom. Most celebrities remain silent. Just another day in America. #SensibleGunLaws," wrote this user, while another added: "Well said Valerie! So heartbreaking that three beautiful children as well as 3 adults lost their life because the GOP continue as to protect the second amendment and
@NRA. This is sickening."
Other conversations were more heated as many looked towards politicians who published sympathetic messages for the victims of the shooting but held opposing views on gun laws.
Republican senator and current representative for the state of Tennessee Marsha Blackburn was allegedly exposed after she posted a message expressing her sadness at the shooting writing: "Chuck & I are heartbroken to hear about the shooting at Covenant School in Nashville. My office is in contact with federal, state, & local officials, & we stand ready to assist.
"Thank you to the first responders working on site. Please join us in prayer for those affected."
In a reply, a founder of the campaign in support of gun control March for our Lives tweeted claiming: "Senator Blackburn took $1.25 million from the NRA."
In a separate conversation, another activist slammed Lauren Boebert, a gun rights activist serving as the U.S. representative for Colorado's third congressional district after she posted a similar message to Blackburn's, referring to the shooting as a "tragedy."
Ryan Shead responded to the tweet with: "Really, lady? You are one of the reasons school shootings are still going on. You put guns above children’s lives and it’s abhorrent. You voted against mental health support for kids."
He continued: "...and you have the gall to send thoughts and prayers? You are evil."
Video footage of the shooter wandering the halls of the school while being heavily armed has now also been released.
In a short conversation with Hale's mother, ABC News reported that the distressed parent said that she has "lost a daughter today" and requested privacy during this time.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of all the victims of this horrific incident.
