Don Mann on WTKR Discussing Gun Violence in the US after Texas School Shooting

WTKR News 3 investigates gun laws in Virginia after Texas school shooting leaves 21 dead

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. – The sorrow and horror continue throughout the country after an 18-year-old gunned down 19 students and two adults inside a Texas elementary school.

Shootings like the recent one in Texas invoke outrage, anger, and discussions about gun laws. Thursday, News 3 went in search of different opinions on what gun laws should look like in our country.

Sixth-grader Shelby Nelson said knows the fear after there was a shooting at her elementary school in Portsmouth.

Police said a gun accidentally went off in 2018.

Shelby told us she was horrified by the shooting in Texas.

“I think it’s really sad and upsetting, and I don’t think 18-year-olds should be able to buy guns,” Shelby said.

“We do have an obvious problem with gun violence, gun laws, gun safety in our country,” said former Navy Seal Don Mann, who was also a weapons instructor for 20 years.

He said he wants tougher laws in place for assault weapons.

“The system has to be tightened up so that just not everybody can go buy one of these, because they're a lot more dangerous than a shotgun or a single-shot weapon or a semi-automatic pistol. They can fire so many more rounds so much quicker,” Mann said.