Rep. Davids advocates for 'common sense gun safety,' mental health support following Olathe East shooting

In the wake of the shooting at Olathe East High last Friday, Rep. Sharice Davids took a few minutes on Wednesday to voice her support for more measures that could prevent future school shootings, including "common sense gun safety" and more comprehensive permanent mental health services at K-12 schools.

"These are the headlines that every American is tired of reading that everyone fears will come to their doorstep," she said. "I stand with every parent, educator, student and Kansan, who has come together to call for common sense gun safety. We have to be brave enough to put our kids' lives first."

Davids — a Democrat who represents Kansas District 3 — was dressed in East's school colors while she spoke on the U.S. House floor Wednesday, a nod to the day of solidarity across the Olathe community.

According to the Johnson County District Attorney, the suspected Olathe East shooter Jaylon Elmore, 18, allegedly brought what's called a ghost gun into the school building. These types of weapons are illegal and untraceable because they are usually made from parts or kits, lacking a serial number.

Elmore faces one charge of attempted capital murder, which stems from his alleged shooting of school resource officer Erik Clark.

In addition to advocating for more gun violence mitigation measures in schools, Davids also drew attention to the steps a few individuals took during the shooting, which have been credited with stopping something that "could have been much worse were it not for their intervention." Assistant principal Kaleb Stoppel was also shot and injured during the incident, but both men have been released from the hospital and are home recovering.

"Students hid in classrooms sending texts that every parent dreads receiving — someone shooting inside the school," she said. "Thanks to the actions of Officer Erik Clark and the assistant principal Kaleb Stoppel, those parents were able to reunite with their students safely on Friday afternoon."

Davids also thanked first responders for their quick response to the emergency.