ESPN’s ‘First Take’ Calls for Change Following Parkland Shooting — Gun Violence ‘Something That Needs to Be Addressed in This Country’

Thursday’s “First Take” on ESPN opened with a tribute for the victims of Wednesday’s shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL.

Co-hosts Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman both pushed for change to stop gun violence.

“It’s tragic, it’s devastating,” Smith stated. “Obviously, it’s something that this country needs to address. When we have an issue protecting our kids, that’s something that obviously resonates with us all. And it’s a priority that needs to be elevated, but especially when you consider the fact that it’s kids harming kids as well — that makes it even worse. I don’t know the answer to those questions. I just know that it’s tragic, and it’s just a reminder how we all just need to come together and do whatever we can to make the world a better place.”

Kellerman tacked on, “The doing is the important thing. Obviously, of course, all of our thoughts, the nation’s thoughts are with the families, the victims’ families, of course. And by the way, in terms of what we do and don’t talk about in times like this, you notice that the victims’ families, by and large, don’t seem to have a problem talking about these issues and the doing in this situation, and I don’t think that we should either. If there was some virus tearing through our schools and killing our children by the dozens, we would do something. Certainly, the right response is not to do nothing. That is unacceptable.”

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