N※N

Local Politician Urges Action After Tragic School Shooting in Glencove

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. on-after-tragic-school-shooting-in-glencove.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, December 16th 2025 at 16:32 GMT by Patch

Local Politician Calls for Action After Mass Shooting: “We Must Learn From These Tragedies”

When a gunman opened fire on a school in Glencove on Tuesday, the small New York community was forced to confront a reality that has plagued the nation for decades. The attack, which claimed the lives of seven students and injured several others, was the most devastating event in the town’s history. In the aftermath, Glencove City Councilmember Evelyn Harris took the podium at the town hall to urge residents, lawmakers and the wider public to “learn from these tragedies.” Her speech, reported by Patch, was a heartfelt call for policy change, community healing, and a renewed commitment to preventing future shootings.

A Sudden, Brutal Loss

The shooting began shortly after the school bell rang, as students and teachers were gathering in the cafeteria. According to the local police report linked in the article, the assailant—28‑year‑old Michael Gordon, a former student—had a history of mental‑health issues and was reportedly fired from his last job. He was armed with a semi‑automatic rifle and a handgun, both of which were legally purchased under the state’s 2005 SAFE Act, a point that many in the community now see as a loophole.

“Seeing the carnage in our own streets has broken our collective heart,” Harris said. “We can’t keep letting these incidents happen. We have to change the system that allows these weapons to be in the wrong hands.” Her remarks were accompanied by a photo of the school’s shattered windows and a list of the victims’ names, which the Patch writer noted were all between 13 and 16 years old.

The article linked to a detailed police investigation that revealed the shooter had no prior arrests but had been flagged by the state’s red‑flag law, which allows temporary removal of firearms from individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others. Harris explained that while the law was in place, it was not enforced in this case because the notification was delayed by the school district’s reporting procedures.

Evelyn Harris: A Voice for Change

Councilmember Harris has served Glencove for nine years and is a former schoolteacher, which gives her unique insight into the educational environment that was targeted. The Patch piece highlighted that she was a leading voice on the city’s mental‑health advisory board, pushing for increased funding for crisis intervention teams. Her speech was not only a reaction to the local tragedy but also a critique of the broader national gun‑control debate.

“In this state, we have the safest gun laws in the country, yet these incidents keep happening,” Harris said. “We need to tighten those laws—especially background checks, safe‑storage requirements, and a more robust implementation of red‑flag orders.” The article cited a recent New York State Senate bill, SB 42, which proposes a mandatory waiting period for all firearms purchases, and noted that Harris was slated to testify in the upcoming legislative session.

Harris’s personal connection to the victims—she was a faculty advisor to many of the deceased—was evident as she spoke about the families’ ongoing grief. She referenced a “letter of condolence” from the school district, which was posted on the Patch site’s “Community Voices” section, where several parents wrote, “We’re just looking for peace.”

Community Reactions and Healing Efforts

The Patch article included several follow‑up stories from the town: a fundraiser held at the local grocery store, a vigil outside the school, and a new “Memory Wall” project that displays photos of the victims. A local nonprofit, Hope for Tomorrow, was quoted offering counseling services to students and teachers, and Harris pledged the city would allocate $50,000 to cover those costs.

A link to a city council minutes page showed a resolution to establish a permanent advisory committee on school safety, with Harris as chair. The article also referenced a partnership with the county sheriff’s office to conduct a “School Safety Review” in the following weeks.

National Context and Policy Debate

Harris did not limit her address to local concerns. She invoked the recent shooting in Parkland, Florida, and the long‑standing debate over the federal National Firearms Act. The Patch piece linked to a New York Times article that examined how federal loopholes—such as “gun shows” and private sales—allow firearms to slip into the hands of potential shooters. Harris cited a study from the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research, which indicated that states with comprehensive background checks have lower homicide rates.

She urged that “we use data, not emotion, to guide our laws.” The article provided a side note on a federal bill, HR 1289, which seeks to expand background checks to all sales, including private ones. Harris expressed optimism that her state’s legislature could pass similar measures before the next congressional session.

The Path Forward

In her closing remarks, Harris said, “This is not just a call for policy. It’s a call for humanity.” She called on all residents to “lean together, not apart,” and highlighted the importance of community support groups. The Patch writer added that Harris would be meeting with the Governor’s office, citing a link to the Governor’s recent statement on gun violence that promises increased state funding for mental‑health services.

The article ends with a brief profile of the victims’ families, quoting a mother who said, “We’re not looking for justice. We’re looking for the chance to live our lives without fear.” It reminds readers that while the policy debate will continue, the human cost of each tragedy remains the ultimate measure of success.

Bottom Line

The Glencove shooting has once again thrust gun‑control debates into the national spotlight, and local leaders like Evelyn Harris are stepping forward to demand change. By linking the tragedy to broader policy failures—such as delayed red‑flag enforcement, gaps in background checks, and insufficient mental‑health resources—Harris’s speech underscores the urgent need for comprehensive solutions that span local, state, and federal levels. As the community rallies to support victims and survivors, the conversation about how to prevent future tragedies continues, with Harris and her allies at the forefront of that critical dialogue.