I’ve come to appreciate that the best long-term decisions are not based on initial reactions formed in the heat of the moment. Like everyone, I am horrified and shaken to the core by the tragedy in Newtown, especially since I work in public elementary education. I am equally stirred with emotion as we learn the heroic stories of teachers and staff who sacrificed their own lives to save their students. It has strengthened my conviction that incredible acts of courage and sacrifice are not limited to our brave men and women in uniform but are inherent within every American heart.

I truly believe that, at this time, the collective focus of the nation should be on the families and loved ones of those innocent little children and teachers. Their pain must be unimaginable and the least we can do for them and the memories of those killed is to not engage in partisan bickering over gun control. It divides us at a time when we should be standing together. Unfortunately, that is exactly the debate that has dominated the media and pundit reaction and is fueled by justifiably raw emotions.

While a debate over gun control is inevitable in the aftermath of these tragedies we should at least be patient, take a deep breath and wait until all of the facts are known before making any long-term policy decisions about how to prevent these senseless acts of violence. Among the facts wrongly reported by the media in their rush to inform an eager and confused public were: the shooter’s ID, mother’s connection to the school, fate of the father, location of mother’s death, method of entry, missing girlfriend, location of rifle, earlier altercation with school staff, and weapons employed.

With so many fundamental facts still unknown or unreleased it would be wise to wait until all the information is known and evidence processed before making any rash decisions. However, here is what we can safely say; there are some very mentally sick and depraved individuals in the world who will never be simply constrained by the law. The fact that killing innocent people is illegal is not a deterrent for those who would commit these horrors. Laws cannot always prevent the actions of the evil or insane. While a gun control debate is easier for the public to understand and engage in, the real preventative solutions moving forward are likely to be more complex. However, I strongly disagree with some conservatives who, in their defense of the Second Amendment, assert that these tragedies are unavoidable and therefore nothing can be done to prevent them.

The true root of these tragedies is mental illness and effectively addressing that issue is going to require a comprehensive approach. First, we need to eliminate all stigmas surrounding mental illness to ensure that individuals who are affected are willing to come forward to get the help they need. Both the federal and state governments should explore policies that ensure proper care for individuals living with mental illness and ensure that they do not fall through the cracks of society. For example, what are responsible reforms to current privacy laws to ensure better monitoring of those who have been diagnosed with a mental illness or prescribed psychotherapeutic medication? Do we need reform of the physician-patient privilege to ensure reporting of potential threats, unlike what happened in the Aurora shooting? What assistance is offered to parents or caregivers of individuals living with mental illness? How can we make these programs more readily accessible for these caregivers?

As we have seen, these individuals have the potential to become grave threats to society and therefore conservatives should feel comfortable that this is an appropriate area for legislative action. Additional funding for existing programs may be needed which will require budgetary prioritization. Finally, I would imagine that once the tragedy is fully analyzed there will be recommendations for increased school safety measures.

I’m not going to pretend that I have all of the answers but this kind of discussion strikes me as a better starting place for a unifying national dialogue. It is also more likely to generate actual results than a bitter partisan brawl over gun control. Regardless, now is a time for remembrance and healing.
May God welcome the souls of the departed Home and be with all who are hurting as a result of this sickening tragedy.

D.J. Bettencourt served as a State Representative in the New Hampshire House of Representatives from 2005 to 2012 and was the House Majority Leader for the 2011-2012 legislative term. He currently works as a special education academic advisor.