PORTLAND, Ore. -- Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr made another passionate plea for more gun control restrictions in the wake of Saturday's shooting at Brown University.
Kerr, unprompted, spoke for three minutes as he finished up his pregame news conference ahead of Sunday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
"I do want to say one thing," Kerr began. "I was sitting here seven years ago after the Parkland shooting. We were in Portland that day, and I remember turning on the news and seeing the news. With what happened last night at Brown, it's just a reminder to me that these shootings continue to happen, and there is something we can do about them. The loss that all of the people involved (Saturday) night, the loss that they're feeling, is exactly the same loss as all the Parkland families, and every other mass shooting.
"Nobody asked me about it today. I didn't expect anybody to ask me. I doubt we're gonna do a moment of silence out there because it's human nature just to not want to deal with this stuff. And it's human nature just to think, 'This is horrible. Let's not even think about it.' But we have to think about it."
Kerr has been outspoken about this particular topic for years. His father, Malcolm, was shot and killed in a terrorist attack in Beirut in 1984. Gun control is a topic that Kerr has, understandably, felt strongly about for years. Sunday, he used his platform to remind people that they can still make a difference on this topic so that it doesn't continue.
"The vast majority of gun owners in this country are responsible, law-abiding citizens," Kerr continued. "They have every right to own a gun. But it's on us to decide if we actually want to take action as a country, as citizens. We know, we know there are common-sense measures we can take that will save people's lives. And I just want people out there -- it doesn't matter if you're Democrat or Republican, or gun owner, non-gun owner -- I just want people thinking, 'What if it were my child?'
"What if it were my brother or sister? Would you be willing to stand up to your representatives and say, 'You know what? Enough. I'm not gonna vote for you unless you are going to stand up for gun violence prevention through common sense laws that the vast majority of Americans agree on.'"
Kerr has never been afraid to speak his mind about causes he feels deeply about. In recent years, he has offered his perspective on a wide variety of issues -- but the fact that he continues to campaign for changes on this topic is a reminder of what it means to him. He tapped the table in front of him a couple of times to emphasize the point he was trying to get across. It's the same one he will continue to hammer home when another national tragedy occurs.
"Or are we just gonna continue to let the gun lobby run us over and not do anything to protect each other, to protect our children, to protect our future. We have to make that decision," Kerry said. "And so, don't just look the other way, even though that's human nature and I understand it. Think about it. Think about do you want something done? Do you want your child to go to school terrified every day? Or do you want to actually take action?
"Because that's what a democracy is about. Where we demand that our representatives protect us. And that option is there. So, we can either just do what we're continuing to do and let these things happen or make some demands. And so, as you're thinking about this today, think about what if it were your own family member? Thanks."