The day 19 children and 2 teachers were murdered, we held a moment of silence at sporting events around the country, then we played the national anthem, and we went on with our lives.
Players, staff and fans stood for the moment of silence, grieving the lives lost, and then we (myself included) continued to stand, proudly proclaiming ourselves the land of the free and the home of the brave. We didn’t stop to reflect on whether we are actually free and brave after this horrific event, we just stood at attention.
When I was the same age as the children in Uvalde, my father taught me to stand for the pledge of allegiance when I believed my country was representing its people well or to protest and stay seated when it wasn’t. I don’t believe it is representing us well right now.
This particular time, an 18 year old walked into a store, bought multiple assault rifles and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, walked into a school with an armed resource officer and its own police district and was able to murder children for nearly an hour. Parents begged and pleaded with police officers to do something, police officers who had weapons and who receive nearly 40% of the city’s funding, as their children were being murdered.
We elect our politicians to represent our interests. Immediately following this shooting, we were told we needed locked doors and armed teachers. We were given thoughts and prayers. We were told it could have been worse, and we just need love.
But we weren’t given bravery, and we aren’t free. The police on the scene put a mother in handcuffs as she begged them to go in and save her children. They blocked parents trying to organize to charge in to stop the shooter, including a father who learned his daughter was murdered while he argued with the cops. We aren’t free when politicians decide that the lobbyist and gun industries are more important than our children’s freedom to go to school without needing bulletproof backpacks and active shooter drills.
I’m often struck before our games by the lack of delivery of the promise of what our national anthem represents. We stand in honor of a country where we elect representatives to serve us, to thoughtfully consider and enact legislation that protects the interests of all the people in this country and to move this country forward towards the vision of the “shining city on the hill.” But instead, we thoughtlessly link our moment of silence and grief with the equally thoughtless display of celebration for a country that refuses to take up the concept of controlling the sale of weapons used nearly exclusively for the mass slaughter of human beings. We have our moment (over and over), and then we move on without demanding real change from the people we empower to make these changes. We stand, we bow our heads, and the people in power leave on recess, celebrating their own patriotism at every turn.
Every time I place my hand over my heart and remove my hat, I’m participating in a self congratulatory glorification of the ONLY country where these mass shootings take place. On Wednesday, I walked out onto the field, I listened to the announcement as we honored the victims in Uvalde. I bowed my head. I stood for the national anthem. Metallica riffed on City Connect guitars.
My brain said drop to a knee; my body didn’t listen. I wanted to walk back inside; instead I froze. I felt like a coward. I didn’t want to call attention to myself. I didn’t want to take away from the victims or their families. There was a baseball game, a rock band, the lights, the pageantry. I knew that thousands of people were using this game to escape the horrors of the world for just a little bit. I knew that thousands more wouldn’t understand the gesture and would take it as an offense to the military, to veterans, to themselves.
But I am not okay with the state of this country. I wish I hadn’t let my discomfort compromise my integrity. I wish that I could have demonstrated what I learned from my dad, that when you’re dissatisfied with your country, you let it be known through protest. The home of the brave should encourage this.
Joan says
Thanks, Gabe, for articulating what so many of feel and think. Brave.
Peter Smith says
Lots of people want to say this is an American problem and a gun-specific problem. That fails to deal with the 2019 New Zealand gun attacks, 51 dead; 2020 Canada mass shooting event, 22 dead; Mass shooting in Plymouth, UK 2021; even things like the Norway bow and arrow mass killings last year.
On a per capita basis the rate of death from mass attacks across the EU combined in the past ten years is not so different from the US. The rate in UK+Canada+Aus+NZ over past five years is 2x the US per cap.
People fail to consider that gun laws aren’t perfect even if better and the best you can do is lower the death count – good, of course. But a person who gets indoctrinated or a frustrated incel who can’t get their hands on guns will still act out. Sometimes they will choose knife or bow and arrow (only 5 dead on that one) but sometimes they may choose arson (as has not been uncommon in Australia), or truck/vehicle rammings which can each be as deadly as shootings. If they start to choose bombings it will be far more deadly and a much worse outcome.
Steve Wollmer says
Sorry Peter, but I have to correct you on some of your observations. One month after the Christchurch mass shootings that killed 51 people in two mosques in New Zealand in March 2019, Prime Minister Jacinda Adern led the New Zealand Parliament to pass a law that bans most semiautomatic weapons and assault rifles, parts that convert guns into semiautomatic guns, and higher capacity magazines. That’s how you deal with mass shootings. Of course, there’s no NRA in New Zealand.
Dan Maciel says
What about drunk drivers? Should be ban alcohol? That’s one way to deal with drunks. Doesn’t seem fair to punish responsible gun owner just like it doesn’t seem fair to punish responsible drinkers.
George Garner says
Whataboutism is just a deflection. The issue is a country flooded with weapons, not about drinking and driving. Please stay on point. Thank you, Mr. Kalpan. Thank you.
Thomas says
So what about drunk drivers? You have to get a license to drive. You have to show a basic level of competency and there are police officers all over the place ready to give you a fine if you abuse it (or not depending on how they feel). Why not require the same of people that want a gun? I see this driving comparison all the time, yet it always ignores that cars are much more heavily regulated than guns are.
Kevin Murray says
Thanks Gabe. Very well said. It is okay to kneel. I support you. How many fans mill around and don’t even pay attention during the anthem. Or yell during our anthem. To the detractors, no one is saying to ban guns. Can we just try something new? Anything?
Dan Maciel says
Of course it’s not about drunk driving! It’s about blaming the easy thing…guns! Responsible, law abiding gun owners do not commit these crimes! What is the root cause here? Violent video games, destruction of family and family values? The last time I checked, there are no wild packs of guns out on the streets hunting down innocent victims. There is a person behind the gun and it is never the responsible, law abiding gun owner! Quit taking the easy route and stop blaming guns!
Trevor S Price says
We actually do have lots of laws in place to regulate alcohol. Good comparison. Glad to have you on the team to help get some common sense regulations in place.
Bill Hoff says
Only liberals with a limited ability to use cognitive thinking can change the subject. Blame the politicians who refuse to open medical files to the folks doing background checks. In fact they avoid it completely. HIPPA protects those who do not have the capabilities of responsible gun ownership. The medical community fights this release everytime by lobbying behind the scenes. I am not a NRA member nor support all of their agenda. However one percent of bad gun owners do not justify taking away firearms. I own firearms because of government, not hunting. Open HIPPA up for. Clear background check and these mass murderers will be reduced. Increase jail time for other violent criminals and the number further decreases. Quit taking the rights away as that’s too simple and worthless option.
Julian Schor says
Pretty sure you can’t kill 19 kids in a matter of minutes from drinking alcohol unless you were to ram a school bus off the road or something which isn’t exactly the easiest thing to do. Context is everything
Rich Heimlich says
Dan, just look at the stats. When you compare Gun Ownership by state per capita against gun deaths by state per capita, all the arguments in the world go out the window. It breaks down simply to, More guns in your state, more gun deaths in your state. There’s virtually no outliers here. Montana ranks 1/3 (1st in ownership, 3rd in deaths). Alaska is 3/1. West Virginia 5/9, Alabama 8/2. On the other end is Massachussetts at 50/49, Hawaii at 47/50, New Jersey 49/45. Stop using talking points and look at the data for yourself. I’m an Army vet. I know how to handle a weapon and I also know that the best use of a weapon is to not have to use it and to not have it be around every time you’re upset, drunk or god-forbid, both. I don’t want to take away people’s RIGHT to own a gun. However, it’s gotten way out of whack. 100 years ago people owned guns, but they owned mainly rifles at shotguns. Handguns were rare and mainly used by police. Assault weapons were rather unheard of in a house. Today you run into arsenals generally owned by people who, after 1 minute of discussion, you find they own them primarily out of a sense of fear. Fear of all sorts of things. Their fear is causing the rest of us to live in a dangerous world. No thanks. In most states you have to be 21 to drink, and then you have to take a test (or tests) get insured and you can’t even rent a car until you’re 25. Why? Because MONEY. Insurance and renters know they lose money on kids under 25 that rent cars so they don’t. If gun manufacters could be sued for wrongful death SUDDENLY you’d see a TON of legislation putting limits on gun ownership and how to PROPERLY own a gun.
https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/gun-ownership-by-state
https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/gun-deaths-per-capita-by-state
Jason says
What is the responsible use of an AR-15?
devinerichard says
Are you admitting to drinking and driving? Constitution doesn’t protect ar-15’s certain states allow for them but there is zero constitutional protection. Ever read the Constitution? I am not trying to be rude, it’s a serious question. Alot of second amendment screamers don’t have a clue what it is let alone it’s protections.
Vince Pisano says
That’s such and pathetic response. There is zero reason for anyone in this country to have an assault rifle. And an 18 year old? If you can’t offer anything helpful, get out of the way.
Kevin S. says
Alcohol is regulated strictly in the USA, so your analogy not only falls short, it only illustrates the need to regulate gun ownership in the same way. There is a certain age you can’t drink, certain things you can’t do when drinking, and certain places you can’t drink alcohol. Asking that guns should apply to the same standards is all most people on this side of the issue want. Thank you for your stance Kap!
Mike Mandel says
Responsible gun owners don’t need weapons of war.
Tim Perkins says
As usual no matter how many times people say BACKGROUND CHECK enhancements people like you say BAN. Do you seriously not understand the difference? We, as in 90% of the country, want better BACKGROUND CHECKS. Figure the f*****g difference out before the next child gets murdered. Signed Proud Responsible Gun Owner.
Nicole Lilly says
Can you please explain to me why you think gun owners are being punished if gun laws and regulations? I’m begging you to give me the reason why so many CURRENT gun owners think this way. Please! I’m begging you! Explain it to me!
Eugene says
Indeed, what about drunk drivers? What about how stupidly easy it is to get a driver’s license? I agree! We need to ban most types of firearms AND we need a better way to vet people who don’t have the capacity to drive cars safely.
Gordon says
Just like some alcohol is banned, so should some weapons
How dense and stupid do you have to be to take “maybe we should ban weapons that only have 1 purpose- to kill as many people as possible” as “PRESIDENT BIDEN NEEDS TO BREAK INTO EVERY AMERICAN’S HOME AND STEAL EVERY SINGLE GUN THEY OWN!!!!!!”
Get a grip moron
And maybe try opening a book (hint: not the book “i love guns more than my children: america first!!”) for the first time in your life
Heather-Rose Ryan says
Is it “punishing responsible gun owners” not to allow them to own machine guns?
Aaron Davis says
Your NRA-funded whataboutisms are completely useless and do nothing to address the epidemic of gun violence in this country.
Bree says
Please go ahead and write about drink drivers on your own blog. Whataboutism popping up again- it’s like whack a mole.
Adolfo says
What about seatbelts? I was a responsible driver but what did the data show, deaths were high due to traffic accidents and lack of seat belts. Today its the law you wear a seatbelt. Am i being punished? It really isnt hard to understand!!!
David A. Wilson says
Gun safety laws don’t punish responsible gun owners, they reward them.
Ugot Diss says
If there were a drink that was actually 11 drinks and got you black out drunk…we’d ban that (and yes, we’ve banned that). Learn ti analogy…
Don Danderson says
Don’t you need extensive training in order to operate a vehicle? Don’t you need a license? Don’t you need to pass a written test to prove you know the laws? Don’t you need to pass a driving test to prove you know how to drive? Won’t your license get taken away from you if you drive drunk?
Mike Knapp says
Nope
We should ban cars. Think how many lives we can save. Time time to start suing car manufacturers for.drunk drivers. Think of the lives we will save. If its just ONE life we save by Banning cars will be worth it. Trucks have to go too since they have a higher capacity fuel tank and can do more damage then just a car.
BAN CARS NOW AND SAVE LIVES
SUE CAR MANUFACTURERS FOR MAKING A DANGEROUS HIGH CAPACITY FOR CARNAGE VEHICLE
rich freiler says
you are clueless my friend nobody is taking away your guns stop deflecting the real horror you wouldnt be talking like this if it was your child thank you steve kerr thank you gabe kapler just look at the money given to these heartless politicians by the NRA for their campaigns if you cant figure that out then you truly are CLUELESS
Derelmy Buckley says
False equivalency. Buffalo, Uvalde, Nashville Waffle House, and Newtown shooters used AR-15s (and more but you should get where I am going). Gabe was specific to assault rifles. If all deaths from drinking and driving could be pinpointed to a specific brand or type of alcohol then yes, I would hope the politicians who serve us would stand up and realize that there was a problem with that particular brand of alcohol and ban it. How can you justify standing up for a gun after the death of 19 children and 2 teachers.
Jeff says
How are responsible gun owners being punished by enforcing some sensible regulations? There are many regulations to address driving safety, including seatbelts. How are restrictions on semi automatic weapons, smart guns, age requirements punishing gun owners?
Vessie says
The legal drinking age in Texas is 21. He bought those weapons days after his 18th birthday.
Jon says
Salvador Ramos was a law abiding gun owner until he shot his grandmother in the head and then went and killed 19 people.
conniezuckermangmailcom says
No one is punishing responsible gun owners by banning the sale of AR 15s to 18 year olds- there’s just no way to justify that
Marilyn M says
Nobody’s punishing responsible gun owners. If you’re responsible you welcome a background check and you don’t need a weapon designed to kill numerous people quickly.
Patrick Mulleady says
Dan,
Why would any responsible gun owner need in their possession any kind of assault weapon?
And why should common-sense legislation requiring background checks be quashed by people “representing” their constituents?
Any why would any organization like the NRA hold its convention less than 300 miles from the site where 19 families lost there 9 and 10 year old children, cold- bloodedly murdered days earlier? Along with two of their teachers? Families forever changed.
All in the name of “liberty”?
John Daly says
Wake up Dan – Drinking age.
Keith L says
I agree with the driving, people say “You need to get a permit to drive, prove you can drive, to legally drive so its not the same”
This is false you HAVE to get a gun permit, pass a background and in most states PROVE you can use the weapon correctly if it’s your first.
So let’s talk about the car theory more, what if someone STEALS a car, and runs into a bunch of Protesters killing some hurting many others (This is something that happened last year during BLM)
What do we do now, well they put that MAN in jail for murder, they DIDN”T make a new Driving law and ban everyone from driving.
The PROBLEM are NOT gun laws, there are already 100’s of laws and regulations to even get a gun in America. The problem are the people, all this talk about this school shooting and MOST don’t even know who the shooter even is because Media is SO FOCUSED on GUNS GUNS GUNS, why not hold the man that walked in there and opened fired accountable…?
Why is accountability such a hard thing to grasp for the left? A man drives into someone and kills them that MAN is in jail, but if a man SHOOTS another man, it’s the gun’s fault?…..
Come on…
I hate narrow minded people says
Drunk driver? Are you serious? What a lame comparison! 19 children were killed! If the guy had a knife at least the teacher could of stopped the guy.
Elie C says
How do we determine who are “responsible” gun owners then? Presumably you’d be in favor of a rigorous licensing scheme with extensive background checks prior to purchase and perhaps annual psychological evaluations to be allowed to retain your licensed weapon (since people can develop violent tendencies even after being deemed responsible)?
Sam says
Good point. And we are all so divided. I want people to realize so many good things and decisions can happen in the middle. Another discussion is parental fail. Lots of that going around.
Karen Baldwin says
Responsible gun owners should be able to help purchase guns for hunting but not assault rifles or weapons used for war. There is no need for someone to own that type of weapon.
Dennis says
Of course it’s not about drunk drivers, we have laws that have reduced drunk driving and we continue to reduce deaths by everything from deglamorizing alcohol to forcing habitual drunk drivers to having interlock devices installed in their vehicles. We go so far as to hold drunk driving checkpoints and encouraging others to call 911 if they see someone they think is driving drunk.
What we don’t do is hold guns to nearly the same standards as cars. We don’t enforce licensure, we don’t force gun owners to renew their gun plate yearly to pay for the damage the guns do, we don’t force gun owners to install mental health interlocks after they have shown themselves to be willing to use guns to kill others.
You’re right, we don’t treat guns like cars, but you are off base to think we shouldn’t. We need to find a solution. The good news is we have many examples from other countries. Australians even have more guns now than they did before their mass shooting, but now you have to have a reason to have one which reduces the risk of attack.
Peter Smith says
Adding info is not “correct”ing. Did they ban the shotgun with which he first killed? No. Did they ban the single action long guns he brought along? No. Did they ban the four full modified petrol containers that he had in his car, which he presumably would have used if he had no access to guns? No.
My very point was that if he had no AR-15, fewer people may have died that day, but many people would have died. Unless because he had no AR-15 he instead used the petrol too effectively. Ban whatever you choose to limit death rates. Also seek to stop the killing more fully by focusing on the root causes that drive it.
Mike Mandel says
US gun deaths are much greater than any other developed country. See this:
https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2022-us-gun-violence-world-comparison/
Peter Smith says
The rate of gun deaths in the US is dominated by suicides and gang-related homicides. Mass attack deaths are 0.1% of the gun death number. I’m all for it if you want to discuss how to fix those numbers, but they have little to do with the rate or incidence of mass attacks.
Peter Smith says
BTW here’s an example of someone needing correction and what I was responding to: Kaplan: “I’m participating in a self congratulatory glorification of the ONLY country where these mass shootings take place”. Please feel free to correct him after you compare to the short list of events I provided from just a few countries in just the past three years.
Dan Maciel says
You do, at least in California, need to take a firearm safety course and obtain a certificate of completion or a “license” before you can purchase a firearm…
Jim Smith says
They says there was 170K illegal guns in NZ, only 50K were turned in. Maybe because those New Zealanders didn’t want to become the next Australia, where they throw you in re-education camps for not wearing a mask outside your own house.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-newzealand-shooting-guns/doubts-over-success-of-firearm-buybacks-in-new-zealand-as-amnesty-ends-idUSKBN1YO05B
vilhelm says
Australian here – the vast majority of our population supported mask mandates, and, as a result, had perhaps 10% of the number of deaths (excess or otherwise) per capita compared to the “greatest country on earth” (which, to be fair, I’d argue with, being a proud, patriotic Australian). We actually just voted in a federal government that, in opposition, asked for stronger action on the pandemic. No one got thrown in any camps. They just got a $1000 fine if they kept ignoring the mandate in public around vulnerable people.
On top of this, we had ONE (horrible) mass shooting in Port Arthur in 1996. Mentally disturbed bloke. We outlawed semi/automatic weapons immediately after. You can have guns for sport shooting and on the land (farmers). We very rarely have any gun related violence (it’s mostly just 5-10 incidents a year, and it’s almost always hand guns in criminal vendetta bollocks). We have had ZERO mass shootings. Imagine that?
Graeme Mitchell says
Really Jim, I live here. I am Australian. Camps, jeeez you are a fool. Ok mate the next time you see a bridge for sale as part of a news story what will you decide? How about you take off your boot and belt yourself in the forehead with it. That is about the only way things are going to make sense to you. Come here, walk the streets, you fool.
Hideo says
Steve you do know that semi automatic means you pull the trigger once and only one bullet comes out right? Also high capacity is term used by people who’s knowledge on firearms is lacking as those high capacity magazines are standard capacity. Going back to the semi automatic thing though you do know that most guns are semi automatic right? Most pistols, even hunting rifles and shotguns have semi automatic variants. As far as “assault rifles” those are EXTREMELY regulated in the US. By that I mean assault rifle as a firearm having select fire capabilities. That means semi automatic, burst fire, and/or automatic. You have to pay a fee just to complete papers then usually you’re waiting a year or longer to even hear back. Even after all that the weapon must be pre 1980s. Now as far as these deadly weapons most fun violence is from handguns, hell even blunt objects are used to kill more people each year than these “weapons of war.” One of the main things about guns is they’re used for protection. So say if someone, like the school resource Officer, would’ve have been at the school, like he should’ve been, they could’ve helped stop and or prevent this tragedy. Hell just locking the damn door so the shooter couldn’t have walked in unimpeded would’ve helped. Don’t forget though if someone would’ve simply reported him to the proper person for his comments months and years before this he would’ve been institutionalized and therefore unable to apss a background check. (You know the FBI database background check you must pass when buying a gun from a federally licensed dealer.) You can pass laws all you want but most criminals are criminals for a reason. They don’t follow the laws, like laws for “high capacity magazines”
Grover Gardner says
An 18-year-old high-school drop-out with a job at Wendy’s and no license or training whatsoever, walked into a Texas gun shop and bought approximately $4000 worth of military-style weaponry. How? Can you tell us that? Surely he didn’t have that kind of money. Was it, perhaps, Daniel Defense’s “e-z credit” terms? At any rate, please don’t tell us how “hard” it is to buy this stuff.
Caitlyn says
There are no background checks required for gun purchases in Texas. There’s no requirement for training or obtaining a license in order to own a gun in Texas. It is easier to buy a gun in Texas than it is to legally drive in the state of Texas (insurance, training, license, registration).
hamiltonjoe says
Caitlyn, Federal law required an FBI background check each time you purchase a firearm for a licensed gun dealer, regardless what state you are in.
The problem is with illegally purchased guns, and guns purchased legally from a private seller, which requires no background check. The later is the “loop hole” in the system.
Jennifer Jacks says
Very Good points. No laws can control Evil or anyone that wants to do harm. First off in the matter not one person can really know unless they were there exactly what happened. The first and biggest mistake an unlocked door to allow access. No matter how in convenient there should always only be one way in. I DO COMPLETELY AGREE THAT OUR POLITICIANS ARE NOT DOING THEIR JOBS AND ARE LETTING THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DOWN. IT STARTS FROM THE TOP.
Elie C says
Brave argument to say laws don’t matter, so therefore we shouldn’t have any. The laws, for instance, banning assault rifles, would apply, presumably, to manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers. Of course there will be lots of assault rifles still out there, which in less insane countries, have at least been partially dealt with by buyback programs. But to argue that there are criminals who would buy assault rifles anyway ignores the fact that gun manufacturers would have to follow the law on an assault rifle ban, hence, there would be fewer of them.
Don't Play says
Few complied with that ban in New Zealand. Why lie?
Richard McCargar says
There are approximately 332 million people in the U.S.
These mass shootings are tragic, but they are also incredibly rare.
Don’t make more out of it than it is. Maintain perspective.
The right to self-defense is a natural right.
The right to self-defense is not a right that is awarded by the state, it is a natural right that is protected by the U.S. Constitution.
We don’t have the 2nd Amendment to protect ourselves from ducks and rabbits, we have them to warn an overbearing government to keep its distance.
You people learned nothing from the collectivist wars of the past century. First, they seized weapons, then, they slaughtered their own. Stalin, Hitler, Mao, Pol Pot. You learned nothing.
Ward says
They’ve actually learned a lot, seizing every opportunity to attempt to disarm the American people so they may finally put us in our place and we won’t get in the way of their thirst for world domination.
Vanessa says
Wow, you guys are a bunch of nut logs! Nobody’s advocating for taking away your guns. We’d just like to see some strong, common sense laws and regulations regarding gun purchasing and ownership and yes, a ban on rapid fire assault weapons. There is no logical reason to own one of these! And while I’m at it, I would imagine that the majority of you pro gun no matter what people, are also pro life. You’ll do everything in your power to control a women’s choice to have a baby but, “oh my gosh, don’t even think about telling me I can’t have any gun I want!” And “we have to protect that unborn child’s life (without even the slightest consideration of helping a mother with childcare or help with rent when she can’t go to work) but we’re not going to protect the children that are already living!!!” Bunch of hypocritical whacks! It’s you people we have to worry about. You are the future Stalins, Hitlers, Maos and Pol Pots. Thank you Gabe Kapler, for saying it like it is. Our Republican representatives don’t give a crap about our children.
George Garner says
Mass shootings are incredibly rare until you find yourself in the middle of one. I suppose then it is a waste of time for schools to have active shooter drills and to “harden” themselves. Just go with the roll of the dice by your reasoning. BTW nice paranoia in your last paragraph. Sorry you live in such fear. If you are so afraid of Stalin, Hitler, etc., then stop supporting Trump, who is next on that list.
Patrick Mulleady says
“There are incredibly few mass shootings in the United States”.
This year, there have been more mass shootings than days.
BloodyBill says
Sounds like you should move there
PaytonGendron says
But you and bcrawford support the blm terrorists. Weird how you talk out both sides of your mouth like that
Eric Berkman says
You’re really posting on here as “PaytonGendron”? You really are a special, unique kind of piece of s***, aren’t you?
SL in TX says
The people of NZ had no choice as they are subjects not citizens. I do know compliance was low.
Evil leftist ideology and police incomptence led to both Parkland and Uvalde.
Guns don’t commit mass shootings.
Deranged leftists with guns do.
Cameron W says
Hi Steve,
Do you know what semiautomatic actually means? I’m not trying to be rude it is an honest question. It means one squeeze of the trigger one bullet. People are not getting parts to make guns semiautomatic.
Proud American says
And New Zealand promptly treated all unvaxxed like social and political leppers, banning them from most of society.
That same witch is on video decrying how the reduction in COVID infections has made it impossible to use the pandemic to push through a global restructuring of all society.
It’s very clear. Leftists there and and in the U.S. see outlier massacres by nut jobs (along with the weekly slaughter in the inner cities that you dont care about) as nothing but excuses to strip their citizens of the rights to defend themselves from crime, and more importantly from tyranny.
Not happening.
PS – boycotting every team that kneels or otherwise craps on our patriotic institutions out of some idiotic sense of protest.
Jim says
…and after she disarmed her people, she could then use “emergency powers” to put them in Nazi style concentration camps during covid lockdowns. No thanks to your solution.
Donna says
The NRA has nothing to do with any shootings. Its sick people that are doing the shooting and guns can’t shoot by themselves. The NRA teaches Gun Safety. Why do idiots always want to blame everybody but the Sick Minded people for any shooting.
Mick Beach says
Now the peeps of NZ have no recourse to tyranny…There is a formula to alter the Constitution re the 2nd amendment and fact is the majority do not want the 2nd amendment altered or it would be altered …Fact is our guns are a curb to tyranny…
David says
This is not true, Steve. Recent data shows you are 8 times more likely to have mass murders here than Canada and the UK. In New Zealand last year they has 11 firearm related deaths. I’m not for banning guns, but am for banning assault rifles.
Mike says
Your theory only works if criminals will give up their guns. Please explain how a law is going to accomplish that.
Sharlene Darling says
How you find a way to tie the NRA to mass shootings is remarkable. How does the NRA assume responsibility for all of the gun killings in gun-free zones? It sounds like New Zealand is calling you, Stevie Wonder. Bon Voyage.
Marla Ann Murphy says
I am an 83 year old and so angry and beside myself with anger… i don’t want to hear any thoughts and prayers and thank you for going away from the field while the SSB is played.. I would too.. if these donothingcongressmen and women still do nothing.. VOTE THEM OUT…I stand with you !!!
Blah blah says
How about you step up and provide resources to secure the schools like your ballparks. Are the kids not as deserving ?
Mikesbo says
Just to be clear, yet again, 2A does not grant anything. Like the rest of the constitution, its purpose is to set limits on government. It prevents the government from “infringing”, at all, period, on the pre-exiting, God-given right to keep and bear arms.
Having said that, we already have gun control (in direct violation of the constitution). Schools are already “gun-free zones”, the government gets to decide who can and cannot purchase firearms. You can’t fix crazy through legislation. This kind of thing never happened 100 years ago when people could order firearms out of the Sear’s catalog, why?
https://news.gab.com/2022/05/27/the-mass-shooting-and-liberal-utopian-society/
As for Austrailia, since gun control they enjoy a new phenomenon, home invasion while people are home. The criminals have guns, but the law-abiding homeowner, that is to say, victim, does not. Ask them how they feel about gun control, never mind England, where surprisingly attacks have not stopped with the complete banning of firearms, and how people like you pine, “Save Lives, Stop Knives.” It never ends. They lock up SILVERWARE in department stores, because those are now the deadly weapons.
Get a clue.
Pedro Martinez says
Typical drone response. We have had guns in this nation for over two hundred years and school shootings for several decades. So what has changed to cause this, genius?
Joe biden says
All i see is leftists being hypocrites as usual.
benjamin says
Be less of a virtue signaling cunt. The insane sissy that killed those children was just that, insane. I’d like to point out it is enablers like you that have allowed the mentally ill in this country to go unscathed and unchallenged whilst they flaunt their sickness as a badge of honor for other virtue signaling cunts to applaud them. Guns aren’t the problem. They were here long before pillowbiters pretending to be women were given legitimacy. The culture is infected with a sickness and those with that sickness need to be culled from society.
Sear says
I think you are a stupid little bitch. WTF did the cops stand down for almost an hour? Answer that, bitch.
jkladis says
Yeah, and now New Zealanders have no wayu to defend themselves against criminals and dangerous crazy people. MORE IMPORTANTLY, the people now have no way to protect themselves from a government that may turn tyrannical or try to remove other rights of the citizenry!
KURT BENSHOOF says
People….passing laws to make certain guns illegal doesn’t stop criminals. Helllloooooo. The criminals are going to break the laws. Let’s use our critical thinking faculties here. If someone wants to kill people, they can just get a shotgun or a bunch of pistols.
Fact is, our entire culture has been glorifying killing for the last century. The military industrial complex. Hollywood and it’s CIA funded scripts. Our new media glorifies the killing of innocent people in other countries simply because our corporate funded politicians decide to vilify the elected president of another country.
Have we forgotten how the sanctions of George H.W. Bush and Clinton, with Madeline Albricht, killed a HALF MILLION CHILDREN aged 0-5 in Iraq because our government blocked basic medical supplies to Iraq?
Where was your outrage the last 30 years? NOW you’re concerned because 19 AMERICAN children are dead?
I understand the feelings of shame that we haven’t been more outspoken on the senseless killing of children, but not just American children. ALL CHILDREN.
Who are the REAL KILLERS? They work on Capitol Hill. They sleep in the White House. They’re the CEO’s and stockholders of Raytheon, Northup Grumman, Boeing, Halliburton, etc.
Ray says
That doesn’t solve anything. I have owned my guns over 30 yrs and they haven’t killed anyone by themselves.
Pam Davis says
Actual facts here. https://www.healthdata.org/acting-data/gun-violence-united-states-outlier
Charles says
Patrick you are a fucking Moron who obviously has no idea what he is talking about.
Kurt says
Can we please stop with the excuses to not restrict guns? It’s clearly not working and obvious to those without a vested interest in keeping them.
Dan Maciel says
So do we restrict everything that is considered dangerous? There are good people, responsible people that stand to be “punished” by this thinking. The problem cannot be guns…this stuff did not happen when I was a kid. I grew up watch Elmer Fudd blasting Daffy Duck with a shot gun. What what is the real cause of this problem? I can think of several…
Thomas says
We already restrict most things that can kill you in the blink of an eye. Why should guns be different?
Dan Maciel says
We do? Last time I checked, heart disease is the leading cause of death in America…fast food on every corner! Cancer kills…cigarettes and tobacco everywhere! In California, it is a slap on the wrist to get caught with deadly drugs! Guns are the easy target!!!
cotb says
Get over it already. Once upon a time the same sad tired argument was used by people who didn’t want to wear a seatbelt…or a helmet. Someone up thread said all they have to do is make it possible to sue gun manufacturers for wrongful death and the market would resolve itself. Sounds like a good start. You, Dan…. if you are in fact a responsible gun owner, should get behind this idea because it will have zero impact on you. Get it?
Peter Smith says
I’m sorry if you see the data I cited as a reason not restrict guns, but that’s what you read, not what I wrote. Interesting that you think the data point to that, however. I don’t. I didn’t say “unnecessary”, I said “insufficient”.
Jim Smith says
There are over 400 million guns in the USA, only 14K murders per year, most gang related. We have a criminal problem, not a gun problem. Its all you liberals voting in DAs that do not prosecute crimes, coddle criminals, then cry when the 30 times arrested guy, yet never goes to prison, kills someone. Turns out this kid had at least 4 run ins with the law, even threatened 4 years ago to shoot up a school, yet not one thing on his record so his background check went straight through.
David Watson says
I’m not American, but I’m still waiting for someone to explain to me what they need an AR-15 for?
Greg Can says
This is all lies and cherry picking
Paul Epstein says
That’s a load of crap, and it’s this type of thinking that prevents us from making progress on this issue.
Michael Ordoña says
Peter, I also have to provide some context to what you’ve said.
You mention single incidents in various countries, i.e. Canada, NZ, etc. Yet the rate of gun deaths in the US (4.0 per capita) is eight times that in Canada (0.5 per capita). You cited New Zealand; as another poster pointed out, following that mass shooting, they passed extremely strict gun control legislation. The latest data has their per capita death rate at 0.1 — that’s 1/40 of the US rate. The UK is 0.04 — 1/100 the US rate. Are those really the comparisons you want to make?
https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2022-us-gun-violence-world-comparison/
Peter Smith says
The rate of gun deaths in the US is dominated by suicides and gang-related homicides. Mass attack deaths are 0.1% of the gun death number. I’m all for it if you want to discuss how to fix those numbers, but they have little to do with the rate or incidence of mass attacks.
There are about 2,000 non-gang related homicides per year in US. That’s 0.6 per 100,000. The rate in most EU countries averages 0.5 per 100,000.
Given these facts, I assume that you and I both want desperately to stop gang-related homicides, which are 80-90% of the total of gun deaths and are the major difference between homicide rates in EU and US. There are few nobler goals. It’s certainly possible to save more lives, as there are only 20-30 mass attack deaths in US per year. Let’s focus on the horrible gun deaths of tens of thousands of young people from gang violence together and solve the problem.
Nicole says
Gang violence is 100% different from a sick individual going to buy a gun and shooting an ELEMENTARY SCHOOL full of CHILDREN! What is wrong with you.
Peter Smith says
Nicole, I think your point is best directed to Michael, who brought it up. I said what you said, that the two are separate. I am glad we agree.
Supporter of the Downplaying of Ukraine says
What do those numbers look like when you subtract gun violence committed by “African Americans?” What’s it look like then?
Michael Ordoña says
Also, Peter, I’d urge you to reconsider the notion that because no gun law (short of banning all guns) can stop all gun deaths, we shouldn’t do what we can. At least you acknowledged that we can lower death tolls via legislation (I assume you mean reinstating the assault-weapons ban). But those dangerous incels you talk about — yes, some will get weapons and kill. But you might find this interesting: There is a convincing body of research demonstrating that universal background checks do, indeed, contribute to lower gun-violence rates. Multiple independent studies have found that states with stricter gun laws see lower homicide rates. Please have a look at this — if you don’t believe it, you can Google the topic for yourself.
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2022-01-21/report-states-with-strong-laws-see-less-gun-violence
Here’s a look at the effects of specific laws on a state-by-state basis. Cheers.
https://www.science.org/content/article/three-types-laws-could-reduce-gun-deaths-more-10
Peter Smith says
“I’d urge you to reconsider the notion that because no gun law (short of banning all guns) can stop all gun deaths, we shouldn’t do what we can.” And you should reread what I said, because it wasn’t anything like that at all. I have no such notion, and closer to what I said is one should be aware that when you do that it will be insufficient to stop mass attacks. Lowering the death rates is a good thing, but those law changes alone will have us right back here wondering what to do to stop these attacks, which will then take on different forms.
John says
Lol, Peter. Did you get this “data” from the NRA?
Peter Smith says
No, you can generate it yourself. For example, you can look up the shootings in New Zealand in 1990 and 2019, combined dead 64. And you can google “Mother Jones mass shootings database” which is thorough for the US and see that there were about 1000 fatalties in US for mass shootings since 1990. Then you take the fact that the US has 340 million and Nz has 5 million people, and you choose the target measure such as mass shooting deaths per million over 32 years. 64/32/5 = 0.4 for New Zealand. 1000/32/340 = 0.09 for the United States.
The point of which, again, is not to say US gun laws shouldn’t change. But the data certainly indicate that it’s not a US-only problem. The gang and low level violence shootings with handguns, including the 200+ school shootings many cite, IS predominantly a US problem, but one that changing assault rifle laws as proposed after mass rifle shootings will not affect. Treat that separately. I would actually like to hear good proposals for that, a hard problem given that most of the handguns used are illegal and I see no path to stopping a black market in them given that a similar war on drugs was such a failure, and we’re legalizing those as a result.
C Duncan says
This is about firearms so let’s compare apples to apples. Here in Canada where you can get any hunting weapon you require not named an ar15, the rate of death by firearm is 5 xs less than it is in the states. Yes, it happens sometimes, but there isn’t more mass shootings here than days of the year.
It’s a gun culture in America. More guns than population. And best the mass shooting there are those that aren’t considered “mass”
It’s the gun left in an open drawer for a 6 year old to find
It’s the new rifle little Johnny just got that accidentally discharged and killed somebody
MORE GUNS MEANS MORE OPPORTUNITIES FIR DEATH. ITS REALLY VERY SIMPLE no matter how responsible you are.
Kathleen says
Thank you for being a voice of reason, Peter. Thank goodness Kap isn’t in Philly anymore. Such an ungrateful person. Nowhere but here could he make an outrageous amount of money!
Amir says
The best way to lower the death rate from guns would be to have fewer guns. Not surprisingly, there is an extremely strong correlation between gun related deaths and gun ownership rates. So even if those stats are correct regarding mass shootings, (which seems dubious) lowering the rates of gun ownership would save tens of thousands of lives a year.
Peter Smith says
Amir, hopefully it’s clear that one factor to consider is switching. Yes, lowering gun rates lowers gun deaths. But it doesn’t lower deaths overall by 100%. One merely has to consider the suicidal person has many options – 60% of gun deaths are suicides but elimination of 100% of guns would not make that number zero. It might significantly impact it, of course, maybe take it down 33%. So the 24k suicides each year become 16k.
Similarly, the homicidal husband who finds his wife and lover cheating who has a gun has one rate of homicidal success, and the one without a gun has a lower one, but again nonzero. Gang members still want to kill and control territory. So what happens to the 16k homicides – I’d put it at 8k maybe? So a total drop from 40k murders to 24k.
Not bad, but not what you envisioned, either. And of course offset all of this by the (relatively small but who knows really) number of elderly people whose homes are currently NOT broken into because they MIGHT have a gun, but in your gun free scenario get tossed down a stairwell by a home intruder. Include more non-deterred rapes etc as well. A net benefit is likely, but far from guaranteed.
Peter Smith says
I need to update my numbers a bit
Suicides: 24k per year from guns, 20k per year from other
Homicides: 15k per year from guns; 5k per year from other
So taking the 24k suicides down to 16k might be too much, other methods seem to work pretty well. But I’ll stick with that.
And GUN homicides go to half, 7.5k but add back in the 5k from other I forgot.
Total deaths from all methods for suicide/homicide then go from 64k per year to 48.5k per year with zero guns, not that conservatively. No magic bullet, sadly, due to the fact that 40% of the deaths in these areas are already from other methods and that in the remaining, other methods will backfill to some degree, even in the total absence of guns.
Frankly Disgusted says
Jumping straight to gun restrictions and confiscation as the solution implies you believe that it is OK to have a society where people want to commit mass shootings and the only solution you can come up with is subtracting the weapons.
Since you won’t succeed in doing that everything else you have to say on that matter is masturbation.
Robert says
Peter, at what point did you interpret “saving thousands of lives” to mean 100% of gun removal? That seems to be one of the problems in this forum. Everyone that has stated some form of GUN CONTROL it is interpreted to be GUN REMOVAL. Where is the disconnect? BACKGROUND CHECKS for all gun purchases should be the federal minimum and not left up to the states, ie Texas failed in this regard and cost the lives of 21 innocent people. Texans should be ashamed of themselves for allowing this to happen in their righteous state. Its difficult to fathom the near ban on abortions (to protect the unborn) only to see those children that are potentially saved be killed at school.
Peter Smith says
At no point. However, walking through a 100% removal scenario I was able to show that the payoff was less then one would think. I actually go back on the 50% suicide reduction. UK with nearly zero gun suicides has 11 suicides per year per 100k, US is 13 with guns included. So max a 20% reduction as the poison lobby rakes in the dough (joke). So instead of 64k down to 48.5k, it’s more like 64k down to 54k. So that’s ONE ten thousand of lives generally achievable with 100% gun reduction.
Given those stats going partway gets you nowhere near 10k lives saved. Of course factor in there that most of the homicides we’re counting as saved would have to be from a full gun ban, because baby steps on “assault rifles” and long guns would do nothing about the 90% of the gun homicides that result from handguns.
You will note that I stated that a full gun ban was a likely net benefit but far from guaranteed. By noting that you can stop seeing me as a bogeyman simply taking the other side of the argument, and start to listen.
Dodgers Fan says
And how many mass shootings have been in NZ since the gun laws passed shortly after the 2019 incident?
Cheers Kap. Big props for this.
Peter Smith says
Let me check… why, you’re right, exactly as many as occurred in South Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, Kentucky, Oregon combined during that time. Each of those states is about 5M people, and so compares well to NZ. Do you conclude that their gun laws are thus perfect?
These are rare events. Even at US rates of mass attack deaths per capita, a jurisdiction of 5M people would have an event that kills 10 people only once every 30 years, or an event that kills 5 people once every 15 years.
B says
I notice you very carefully said “mass ATTACKS.” And provided no contextual data.
So I went looking.
And at best, Peter, you’re parrotting a lie you were told. At worst, you’re knowingly lying.
Enough deflection.
Peter Smith says
Would you argue that an attack where the attacker drives a truck into a crowd and then gets out and stabs people, resulting in 8-12 dead, should not be counted?
I gave perfect context for the mass SHOOTINGS in NZ-UK-Canada. I gave the evenets. I even provided links but that is stuck in moderation. 2020 Nova Scotia, 2021 Plymouth, 2020 Christchurch.
For EU, yes there are many attacks that are not with guns. But if we get rid of guns we will have those too. That’s half of my point. It’s why I point out that someone in Norway killed 5 with a bow and arrow last year. They will kill less, that is good. They will not kill zero and will probably still kill half as many.
So try to work to figure out the causes rather than ONLY worry about the methods or equate the deaths to the tools. This is my message. My message is not do not change gun laws. It’s to do that AND do more because Norway has both the gun laws you want and the worst episode of mass attack gun violence in history.
Gordon says
You are so ignorant and stupid only the american éducation system could produce such epic ignorance
There’s more mass shootings per day in the usa than all the countries you made up stastistics about have in a décade- combined
Please éducate yourself
Sylvie Groleau says
The problem that you talk about as “an American problem” mister Smith is a problem that only belongs to the United States, and not to America.. The situation of always using the name of the continent for only one single country is also something that infuriates many, who do keep silent about it, keeping silent means not being bashed by anyone.. I look at any maps or globes, I do not see the single word “America” on any of them where the country of the Untied States is located. The United States of the American continent (shorten for America). As a resident of one of the 34 other American country of the American continent, do not call me a European for example, my continent is not Europe, I do not live in Europe, I live in the American continent. But not in the United States. If America was only the United States, then the subdivision that is North America would only be Canada, since other countries in North America, such as Mexico, Cuba, Haiti, The Dominican Republic, etc are all in North America. How then could they be in North America when they are located to the South of what way too many people think of what America is, which is only the United States ? Of course, many will tell me that this is another problem, and they will be right. But it not only this gun violence that infuriates many about the United States, there are many things than people in other countries do not judge as “correct” or “right”.
Peter Smith says
Sophie, you might want to get a better world view about that, because when i search “site:thestar.com America” or “site:ottawacitizen.com America” the Canucks are certainly using America to mean the United States. Bonne nuit!
Sylvie Groleau says
My first name is not Sophie. You are stating only one thing. l I repeat, look at any geographical maps, at any globes, and you will not see only the word “America” on what is shown as that country, If it pleases you to ignore the other 34 countries of America and its 2 billion 200 million people, then I can not change our mind about this. Maybe someday you will understand that the subdivision that is North America can not have the countries that are south of the United States and still be in North America (Mexico, Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, etc…) if America to you is only the United States. I wish that the person who did invent the name The United States of America would have called it The United States of the American continent, then there would not have been any behavious / feelings of ignorance, reject and supremacy from some United Statesians (yes, the word (exist!). You may search whatever you want if it pleases you. And it is not because my name is a French language name that I do speak French neither, you can write “Bonne Nuit” all you want also, I am really not impressed… This was my last reply. Twice is enough for me .https://andrewpegoda.com/2016/11/23/its-time-to-abolish-the-use-of-american-when-we-mean-united-statesian-hidden-power-of-words-series-26/
Peter Smith says
Sylvie, check out BBC America sometime – distinct from BBC Canada, it’s the name of the US-specific BBC channel. You better write them a nastygram because they really should only call it that if it also goes to Belize, Ecuador, and French Guiana of course.
Your beef is not with me, it is with the 90% of the world including editors of non-US english language publications that all use America to mean the United States. Enjoy distracting from main themes on other comment boards as you pursue your lonely crusade.
hamiltonjoe says
Change the subject much?
Carter Baldwin says
Readily available military combat weapons make it easier to impulsively kill a lot of people quickly, period. To deny that is just plain bullshit.
History Student says
To make such an ignorant comment is Bull$hit.
hamiltonjoe says
Carter, you are making a very common mistake. An AR-15 is not a military weapon. It is a civilian “look a like” version of an M-16, with a very big difference.
An AR-15 is s semi-automatic rifle. Meaning it fires one projectile each time the trigger is pulled. It is no different than any other rifle other than appearance.
An M-16 has both a semi-automatic mode, and a 3 shot burst mode for each trigger pull, (original M-16 had a full auto selection, which meant it fired continuedly until you let go of the trigger, or ran out of ammo).
Selling My Season Tickets says
If that 18-year-old went into that room armed with only a hunting knife and locked the door he could easily kill every single child and the teacher to boot. The guy wore body armor – he wanted to survive his massacre and live to an old age. Had he gone in there knowing he was going to die very soon perhaps he never would have made his plan. Getting rid of guns is not going to solve the problem. The gun was just the tool this sick person used. Death penalty is the solution to mass murders.
If you really want to solve the problem, we should look all over the world and copy the policies of countries that do NOT have mass killings – like China, where per capita these kinds of events are very rare because the death penalty is swift and guaranteed. These six steps would quickly eliminate mass murders in the USA:
Immediate death penalty for anybody who murders with a gun with malice with no appeal and no insanity defense. Make criminals understand that if they do this, they are going to die.
Hold the criminal’s estate and their relatives living with them responsible for the damages. Make criminals understand that if they do this, they are going to die and also ruin their family. Make family members understand if they see something wrong and they don’t report it to the police they will become destitute.
Allow concealed carry everywhere. Not for everyone, but for people without criminal and mental issues. Make criminals understand they ALWAYS are likely to be very quickly be killed by one of their potential victims.
Eliminate all gun free zones. Make criminals understand they ALWAYS are going to run into a situation where they will very quickly be killed by one of their potential victims. This wouldn’t have happened 150 years ago in Texas because many of those 10-year-olds would have been armed.
Make convicted felons second class citizens and never able to possess a gun. Felony gun possession gets immediate 5-year incarceration. Second gun possession gets death penalty. Very quickly there would be a shortage of felons.
Offer death penalty convictions one exception to the strict and swift rule: if the criminal can pay for their own incarceration or find a charity to pay the bill for them then they can delay their execution as long as their bill is fully paid. Then when liberals start complaining about “government taking a life” tell them if they value the criminal’s life to donate their own money to pay for the murderer’s incarceration. Liberals do not have the right to put the burden of paying for murderers to live into ripe old age on the normal law-abiding taxpayer.
Mike Hall says
Since 2009, there have been 288 school shootings in the United States. That’s 57 times more than all of all the other countries who have experienced this horrific event combined. 57 times. Think about that a second.
Graeme Mitchell says
Hello, arson, really. One maniac attack in several decades bolsters your opinion of you lot based on us Australians. Shut your idiot mouth and understand you are a fool. Done, the end. How dare you use us to justify you.
Peter Smith says
How dare anyone speak of Australia at all, really. Most of all how dare Wikipedia have a nice tidy “List of massacres in Australia” that features mass shootings (which several have assured us have never happened there since 1996), arson attacks, and other events. It shows 54 deaths from mass attacks since 2017. That would be multiplied by 13 to adjust for the greater US population – so can you please provide any info you have about equivalent US massacres to the tune of 702 deaths since 2017 so I can best compare to get a feel for the relative magnitude of these problems in the two countries? As an I heard an Aussie in Spain say one time, grassyass.
Patriot says
Peter won’t stand for the anthem. COWARD!
I don’t want you in my country loser.
Move to china.
JaniceD519 says
If you want to try and say this isn’t a USA gun specific problem your only kidding yourself Peter. Here in Canada I’ve never once worried my child wouldn’t come home from school. We don’t have hired security or metal detectors at our schools because we don’t need to. The stats don’t lie, this is 100% about guns and the failure of the government to regulate them
The United States recorded 288 school shootings between 2009 and 2018 – 57 times as many as occurred in the six other Group of Seven (G7) countries combined. The G7 countries with the next-highest number of school shootings were Canada and France, with two apiece.
Pat Bell says
What I think what many miss with these horrible situations is we go to the changing the rules and crackdowns on inanimate objects which without a sentient human being does not kill people. The why that is in the disturbed and troubled minds and hearts of the people committing these horrific acts are what need to be examined. Not from a political emotional lens that is used for power, but from a place of compassion first and foremost for those whom are going through the tragic loss of a loved one. Secondly through the compassion and mercy to help people who are beaten down by society and channel there desperation and rage in ways that seem unimaginable to me and most others. We need to do the digging to uncover the ugly stuff we don’t want to see and confront it with as much mercy and grace that can be mustered.
Using anger and frustration to come up with decisions that will effect millions is folly. Calmly looking at the the information that comes out and figuring out the best way to address the problem. We as individuals have to do it and not rely on politicians, media etc..
It’s us asserting our influence to be kind and respectful, which is getting harder to do, upon the institutions that can assist us in making the changes needed in society.
JACK DOFF says
STAY IN YOUR LANE SOYBOY. SIT ON A 34 INCH ADIRONDACK.
Craig October says
So Peter…what would it hurt to keep track of who buys or wants to buy a WMD? Please don’t say it’s a nibble against the 2nd Amendment…which is always misinterpreted and misrepresented by folks on your side.
You know, you could always repeal any change you don’t like…just look at what’s going on right now.
Sandra says
Well done!! Now the rest of the league should follow your lead. Individuals in positions of influence should rise up and make noise until something is done to protect our little ones.
Dean says
The per capita rates are the same?! There have been approx. 220 mass shootings in the US so far this year. Canada has had zero and is ten time smaller. Based on your jacked up math, there should be 22 shootings there this year. Bad math and a bad argument my friend.
Peter Smith says
Define mass shooting – if you want to include gang shootings where more than one person is shot, then yes the US has many gang shootings conducted with handguns. In fact, on average only a few dozen people per year are affected by attacks like Uvalde, while 15,000 killings per year are of the type you mention.
If we talk about mass attacks of the kind that make the news like Uvalde, those are my stats. The others continue for the very reason, and the very sad reason, that no one cares about the poor kids affected by gang violence. Clearly a US issue that is unsolved because of deep and lasting political disenfranchisement, and because the politically enfranchised don’t actually care. Truly sad, possibly solvable, certainly many more lives affected than with mass attacks. Quite unrelated to mass attacks though.
Steve says
So you are protesting by essentially doing nothing? And all the while collecting a paycheck for contributing to a capitalist form of entertainment (which the US exemplifies)? What a crock – you are a true coward. If you want to protest at least DO SOMETHING. Cowering in a dugout doesn’t cut it. That’s chickensh*t.
Peter Falk says
Hi Peter Smith! Try shutting the fuck up once in a while
Peter Smith says
There’s a block button at the top of your descending colon. It only works when pressed with your nose, but you should have no trouble.
Bob says
Your numbers are BS you ignorant MF
raokun says
Let’s take a look at how we socialize boys. Making sure the gender of the shooter is central in the national conversation about mass shootings is absolutely key if we ever want to to prevent this uniquely US phenomenon.
https://womensenews.org/2022/05/its-maddening-gender-is-still-not-central-in-mass-shootings-debate/
Peter Smith says
Read “Why Young Men?” by Jamil Javani
michael s bu says
Thank you for jumping on the bandwagon. I would have some respect for your stance if had been Kneeling in protest at Chicago games for years. But you and your fellow Wokester Jokesters don’t care about the young killers in Chicago. If you really want to reduce the number of young killers on our streets you should address Fatherless Young Killers but you really do not want to solve the problem which is sad. Democrats need the more gun laws talking points since all their policies are destructive and have failed epically. You and your merry band of idiots want to take away our rights to defend our families from Young Fatherless Killers. Your new gun laws will not apply to Young Fatherless Killers. WAKE UP!
Maureen C. Allen says
Another perspective: responsible firearms owners support improved background checks and red-flag laws, to their credit. No solution will halt every criminal shooter, but every solution deserves a try. It’s counter-productive to dismiss ideas–“it wouldn’t work.” Let’s try them all and follow the data. Because one life saved is priceless.
Dennis says
Why do you expect a law to be perfect? Would 9ne that’s 95% effective at stopping mass murder not be enough? Imagine if only two people a year die from mass shootings, and only a few hundred die a year from gun violence in general? Would that not be a step in the right direction? Or is it a case of what happens to others doesn’t matter to you?
Mike C. says
Thanks, Gabe. You’re spot on.
Jeff says
Agreed. Thank you, Gabe. I hope your peers who feel the same way will use their platform as well. It matters. We need action. Your and your peers can be a big part in making that happen.
Juan G. Ledo says
Mr. Kapler:
You are a real coward. Insted of taking it out in our Flag and National Anthum, why don’t you do something constructive and positive about the current state of the country. Perhaps we can select better politicians that believe this is the Greatest Country and should remain so, God and America First should be the message, not tearing down our history and morals. What are you expecting your actions will do other than further divide our country. We already have enough politicians, and members of the media, showbusiness, and sports tearing this country down everytime you listen. With all due respect: What do you think your father would say about you not showing up for the National Anthem. DO SOMETHING CONSTRUCTIVE, NOT DESTRUCTIVE.
L Sherwood says
Wow, the moral police is out in force today. I guess you think being tough and macho is the way to influence people, instead of engaging in constructive conversation. Everyone knows that guns will continue to be held in this country forever. Some people just want a better balance between the right to own and the right to be safe. And especially the right for innocent children and their teachers to learn and teach in a safe, caring environment.
Yelling at thoughtful people who see the issue differently from you shouldn’t cause such a violent reaction on your part. Unless, of course, you are feeling insecure yourself.
Gabe is no coward and anthem is spelled a-n-t-h-e-m.
Barbara says
Not the moral police! Moral?! The NRA shills. They always make quite sure they have their talking points , repeated over and over….
A question for you, gun people . Do you feel anything at all for those terrified children being ripped apart by bullets? Parents were asked for their DNA… for identifcation….my god…
Christian Martella says
Thank you Gabe. Miss you here in Philly, I applaud your courage.
Kevin says
I don’t think anyone in Philly misses him. .500 record and awful managing decision. My apologies if you were referring to Philadelphia, MO and not Philadelphia, PA.
Kevin says
He is a fraud, if he really cared he’d use his voice and “level of celebrity” to get involved and take action. Talk is talk, and nothing else. Typical athlete thinking they are more important than they really are.
CD says
Isn’t that what he did by posting to his blog, speaking to the media and I’m sure following through on his protest? That sounds like a brave hero to me. The coward is the one who attacks the man using obscure social media and has zero accountability for his moronic words and meaningless thoughts. Go get him tough guy!
scott says
what exactly stops every person who has a complaint from kneeling then?
Tom Most says
Nobody wants to hear the truth. The problem is in the heart. You push God away from everything, then this is what you have……evil. Give the man a new heart and evil leaves. Light always eliminates darkness.
cotb says
while i am an atheist… you might be right. Sure does seem like morons need a higher power to fear or things get out of hand
Moonraker says
Gabe you are a coward. Man the Eff up and get out there. Such a taint.
cotb says
right… because it takes courage to stay quiet. Makes sense. Thanks for being so brave with your post
Christopher Kautz says
Thank you for your well articulated thoughts, which mirror my own feelings and experience. Two weeks ago I was at an MLS game with my 2 sons and their soccer teams and I debated taking a knee during the anthem given my general feelings of dismay at the state of the country, but like you I let my own feelings of discomfort prevent me from doing so, not wanting to “embarrass” my boys. In hindsight it was a missed opportunity to teach them how to peacefully protest the ills currently taking hold in our country. I won’t miss the next opportunity to teach them, it’s too important.
pikmartin says
No Joan he doesn’t !! you don’t like our country then do something about it or better yet, please leave it.
pikmartin says
wow, i don’t think to many people think that way.. Russia would welcome you two non Americans
Bobby Wightman-Cervantes says
Thank you Gabe. FYI this was edited out of the Star Spangle Banner before they made it the National Anthem. Key was a known racist. “Their blood has wash’d out their foul footstep’s pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.” https://amhistory.si.edu/starspangledbanner/pdf/ssb_lyrics.pdf
Kevin says
Well skippy way to go. Baseball has gone the way of nba and nfl. I can’t stand the soft sports and now will never support anything that has to do with you or baseball. You are costing mlb millions of dollars. All the workers who clean up after the games, ticket window employees, the security people who protect your multimillionaire babies who play a non contact sport. You’re costing mlb money which will affect more people than a rich pampered pssy. I hold you took the shot and got boosted baby and hope to see you drop dead like the soccer players in europe.
Erin Jordan says
Please stop trolling. Not wanted here.
John says
Go fight for this country, risk life and limb day then tell me you will do the same
You are a shameful person
Calling out says
Sanctimonious thoughts coming from a fool that thought it made good sense to have a dinner so that Dodger players could meet with a 17 year old runaway and discuss how they gave her alcohol and sexually assaulted her in their hotel room
Wild Bill says
So since monsters do horrific acts with a gun, you want to take away the ability for law abiding citizens to defend themselves against these monster. Cain killed Abel with a rock. God didn’t ban rocks. He banned Cain because of the evil deed.
Why do mass shooters want to go into gun free zones?
Why don’t you post a gun free zone sign in your yard?
John McKay says
You are a manager for a Game. A freaking game. You suck
Latonya Veasley says
Thanks Gabe. As a military veteran, I’m embarrassed that elected officials hasn’t moved on automatic rifles after 19 children and 2 teachers were slaughtered, 19 and 2! One is too many.
I own a gun and I’m prior military and have zero need for an automatic rifle. If you’re not law enforcement, military, security, gun range owners etc; there’s zero need to have one. The answer would be to pass laws to make them illegal and those that already have purchased them, register them. If they’re weapons are used in crimes irregardless if you claim their stolen, the owner should be held liable. Background checks a must and enforce licenses for any weapons. The government is NOT trying to take your guns, only to reform guidelines and hold those of us with weapons accountable, liable. Arming teachers and blaming mental illness when most governors cut healthcare reform for their states is just deflection from what needs to be done. Those children were not Republican nor Democrats and we really need to research past behaviors in the upcoming election because right now, our elected officials (most) decided to go home to observe the holiday and many of them never served a day in the military and have zero respect for those that have given their lives for them to enjoy this weekend. Any other country would have convened the same day and enacted laws to prevent this from re- occurring. I want America to stand up and vote those that refuse to show those families in Uvalda that their children and teachers lives mattered and we as Americans irregardless of political affiliation want to do something. The governor of Texas, praying for him, his morals, his values was at a fundraiser three hours AFTER those children were murdered. The NRA conference went about as if nothing happened. We need to be mindful of who we put in office, our votes in numbers will force them to finally do something.
Thank you for using your platform and I heard your press conference, you got choked up. Very embarrassing that our elected officials want to shift blame at a time when 19 children and 2 teachers were killed. You dont see them getting choked up because their morals are in the wrong place. If this didnt infuriate you or made you anxious, something is wrong; perhaps you need to get mental help. We need to vote those out that value money and power over people.
God bless those families of all that were killed with peace and praying God show mercy for elected officials doing nothing to show that their lives mattered.
Joe bagga says
Your not military! Your a liar or a moron. You mentioned automatic weapons. Learn the difference between semiautomatic and automatic before you lie and say you’re ex military. Troll
Solo says
Bro, the ONLY place on earth that has mass shootings? Educate yourself. I’m guessing you don’t follow local news of 180 countries or even G8 nations. Happens everywhere and in many countries at a higher rate. However I agree w you in your feelings about the country’s (lack of) direction and leadership
Ward says
He is absolutely correct about being a coward. While he performs his job behind the security of heavily armed guards and the ability to utilize private security, he wishes the rest of us have no such luxury and to make it harder to defend ourselves.. it’s already illegal to murder people and the continued vapid cries of “DO SOMETHING” disregarding our constitutional rights that SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED. Already saw commentary that AR15 aren’t protected by the 2nd ammendment lol glad to see the same legal heavyweights that occupy vast majority of Twitter have found their way over here. You people that politicize tragedy are absolutely disgusting humans and further reinforce the importance of our 2A. If he were serious he would demand no weapons present at MLB games but he won’t because he knows they keep him safe. Utter hypocrite.
Alex says
How is this not a political issue? I’ll wait for what I’m sure will be your cogent, coherent answer.
Joe bagga says
Gabe is a fool. How about you demand that schools are hardened. Stop blaming And use your energy before the next tragedy happens. But that’s what the left does. Yup! They sit back and wait and stomp their feet like children. “We need to ban firearms “ blah blah.
Many good men died for this country. You best stand and take the field. After all you’re playing a little boys game. Try showing them what a real man is , you FN child. Many Americans don’t care about sports because of fools like you. You took the game and turned political e.g. all star game. What a lie that was as evidence by the turn out. We are over you and you’re taking points. May God bless the Republic.
Jean Feeney says
It’s people like you who are destroying this country.
Dirk Diggler says
I hope you feel better soon. It’s got to be distressful that you can count on armed security at your place of work when most of us can’t.
I feel for you, i really do because when you’re on the road you have armed security at your hotel, most of us don’t at our own homes. You make multimillionaire money so you can afford private schools for your kids and armed home security too. The guilt is getting you down.
The rest of us live in a world where career criminals roam our streets instead of prison yards. Narcotics gang members are being chauffeured from illegal entry to cities around the nation paid for by the Biden administration.
Jason says
Facts – matter- there was no “resource officer i.e. “peace or sworn officer” at the school per Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven C. McCraw (Colonel) per his May 27 2022 statements/press conference “McCraw added that the resource officer was not even on school grounds at the time of the shooting.” (https://www.insider.com/texas-police-change-timeline-of-uvalde-shooting-retract-key-claim-2022-5)
Secondly Per the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting System data – Expanded Homicide Data Table 8 – Murder Victims 2015-2019 (Most recent data) there are ~ 250-300% more persons killed by an assailant using their hands, feet, fists, etc (pushing) from 2015-2019 than there are killings by long rifles therefore any assertion banning “assault rifles” will reduce homicides is factually incorrect.
DrJ says
Thanks Gabe for reminding me that people like you are making millions at the expense of the US government and because the US government is complicit in enabling sports monopolies.
Dick says
Go fuck yourself
Mondo says
Thank goodness for you because you are brave and you are showing us all we can be together!!!
Larry Ruth says
Virtue signaling. The country’s delivered pretty well for Gabe. His massive income is fueled by a Supreme Court anti-trust exemption for baseball. The city helped pay to build the ball park. He gets big bucks for playing a kid’s game.
Teach everyone to turn their back on the ideals enshrined in the pledge. That will surely make a better country. Why not burn a U.S. flag? You can do that too and be lauded and praised by others that want to destroy the country.
Another reason to not watch Baseball along with Football or Basketball.
Eric Anderson says
We have guns to have liberty. Governments have killed more of their own people than school shooters ever will. The real issue is a moral sickness in society that drives young men to a feeling of numbness, desensitized to others, feeling hopeless about their future. In my opinion there is need for some type of spirituality to give them a sense of belonging and accountability.
Truth Betold says
Your writing and communication utensils seem to have grammar issues, and your car shouldn’t be driving drunk, especially while your eating utensils are making you fat…It’s distracting and dangerous, an affront to society…
They should be strictly regulated, (or banned entirely), and you should have to be licensed just to posses and/or use them, and the restrictions should increase until all such problems, or the offending regulated products themselves, are eliminated from society entirely…
“Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former.” – Albert Einstein
Mike says
Gabe you are so brave. Not coming out for the national anthem is amazing. You manage a baseball team. You are so important to this country. Thanks for all you do. You can donate this years salary to the families who were affected by this tragic event. Better yet just disrespect the flag that is the better option. Ps fuck you.
Mindy says
Thank you. When our elected representatives won’t lead, we must stop what has, sickeningly, become our response ritual: thoughts and prayers, moments of silence, gaslighting by self serving politicians who blame everything but weapons of mass murder, and then moving on until the next one where we do it all over again, rinse and repeat. We can no longer go along with this ritual of complacency and indifference. Politicians who care more about fundraising opportunities and social media engagements and fabricated culture wars than our CHILDREN. We are not powerless, we can disrupt this sick ritual and that’s what you are doing, what the Miami Heat is doing, what Steve Kerr is doing. We have to look to our sports for courage and leadership because too many elected leaders are cowards.
My sister is a teacher, no she does not want to be armed. The same people who don’t trust her to teach books trust her to carry a weapon in class? These people want her to take on an armed shooter when police, who are trained and armed with protective equipment, won’t do it? She’s an educator; this country should protect her at school just like we should protect the children she teaches, not expect her to take down an active shooter armed with assault rifles and enough rounds for a battlefield.
We must try. We cannot accept a built in cost of slaughtered children, their faces and little bodies torn apart by an AR15, as the price for “freedom” – that’s not real freedom, and certainly those kids aren’t free to live their lives, they’re dead.
TY says
F U Gabe. Just shut up and manage your child’s game. No one wants to hear your woke BS.
Deplorable Paula says
The killer in TX was a mentally deranged person who unfortunately didn’t have any prior felonies. He did go through background check. There were many red flags but also unfortunately they were ignored. You can blame our National Anthem…but how? Because we have a second amendment? Everyone is horrified by this terrible event. But if this killer hadn’t gotten guns, he would have figured another way to kill people. Look at the killer in Waukesha-running down people with a car. What we need is to fortify our schools. Fences, cameras, self-locking doors, armed security guards and armed willing teachers. There are many things we could do to make our schools safer…we had 50+ Billion to give to Ukraine, we can make our schools safe for our most vulnerable population. But blaming our National Anthem for the actions of a evil, deranged person is not helpful or truthful.
Sean says
Fuck you! You have no fucking idea what home of the brave stands for. Your a fucking idiot with asshole followers. It’s about the brave Service men and women that defend our country, protect your freedom. The freedom that allows you to be the fucking asshole you are. I spent 30 years serving this country and it’s assholes like you that make me sick to my stomach! I truly hate people like you. Go fuck yourself you fucking assclown!
Libertys Defender says
Not that brave. Under Biden and the demonrats we all know that the state of the country is horrible. School shootings put an exclamation mark on the sickness of the country. The anthem has nothing to do with it. Instead of being “brave” like krapperdick do something.
Peter Smith says
Wow!
Catherine Thompson says
I agree the country is headed in the wrong direction – and its all the democrats fault – Let’s Go Brandon! Guns aren’t the problem – we had a lot less gun laws 40-50 years ago and none of this nonsense of shooting up schools happened. This is a God, Discipline lack of a stable family problem. You pulled God and Discipline out of schools and kids go astray. Also if we can send billions of dollars to Ukraine only to have it sent back to the senators, congressman, elites in DC under the radar and that’s what is happening then we ought to have the money to make our schools safe. One entrance – one exit – metal detectors – Resource Officers fully armed. As far as you not honoring the sacrifices of our fallen hero’s and our great country – you need a new job.
Karen Ely says
Thanks Gabe for stepping up and representing the majority.
Steven H Will says
You all want a bitch and complain, but abortion is the leading cause of child death… let’s ban that… moron’s.
Sam says
Let’s rewind the narrative- Kapler when a minor league coach did not report abuse of girls by his players while the adult as a mandated reporter- he hasn’t spoken out about the summer of love when rioters destroyed cities- he hasn’t lectured us on Chinese use of slave labor – he hasn’t condemned BLM for not using millions to improve lives – — – and right outside the stadium we have homeless- well Gabe if your serious and committed resign and run for office —-rather than point fingers
John says
How about you help provide some potential solutions rather than be ashamed of our country. We live in a unbelievably well protected bubble, you and your family more so. If you can’t do that, then it means you believe you’re signaling your virtue, when in actuality your proving how disconnected you are.
Josh says
Your a fucking dill do , and no nothing about society and law and life . So quit acting like you have any clue on the subject ,,. Just stop and keep cashing your over inflated checks .
Norm Bettino says
Brave? 🤡 Being a whining, Commie crybaby is not being brave. Kapler is paid to manage, not to showboat personal political feelings. Grow up.
Brian Bowen says
Idiot
Kaplifenomore says
Gabe, I hope you value and appreciate your freedom to peacefully protest in this free country. Most of our country is not as privileged as you. Spend your privilege wisely.
Mark David says
You communist piece of crap.
zeke says
I’ll tell better about this country when we get rid of idiots that won’t stand for the flag.
Tell me ONE country good rather live. Then go live there.
We CAN make schools safer. Have concealed carry in schools. EVERY mass shooting is where idiots BAN guns. These shooters TARGET places they know that they can do mass shootings before they get shot back at. Even the military bases didn’t let SOLDIERS carry their own guns. Worst city to live in? Chicago, which has some of the strictest gun laws in the country.
Don Olmstead says
hey Gabe. If you’re not proud of our country, which has provided you freedom and riches beyond your wildest dreams, my advice is to get the hell out. And leave. To wonderful shitholes like China. North Korea. Venezuela. Syria. Ukraine. Somalia. Or Sri Lanka. Bye bye loser.
Judgement Day is coming says
Specious, illogical, lack of critical thinking. Stick to posing shirtless, you’re far more tolerable when your shirt is off. Your brain should be more engaged, but… It is what it is
Miles Matheson says
All true – now what are you thoughts on normalizing forced medical procedures and 24/7 fear predicated on the kid’s not catching a old Gabe?
The Duke says
Fuck you Cukler, you miserable cunt. 🖕🏳️🌈🇨🇳🇰🇵
Bill says
You and Steve Kerr just virtue signal. There is horrific gun violence in your own backyard between Oakland and San Francisco and I have never heard you call out the local politicians that have caused the problems in both cities. Therefore you are fake and your protest doesn’t matter.
mez says
I think it’s time we hear from the Gun manufacturers themselves, no other industry goes unchecked like this. They need to help create a plan to make the public safer to continue to sell their products.
Wolf says
I think it’s just showing how much you hate America 🇺🇸 and all Americans who died to protect that flag . Your the worst kind of scum bag
JB says
Wake up all you fools. Stand up for this country lest Ye lose it. Guns don’t kill people. People do. Mental health crisis is the issue here. The people in charge are trying to disarm Americans and what happens after that has been documented in plenty of non taught in school books. WTFU!!!
J Ireland says
I will not be attending or watching Giants games because of the manager’s political views. I will tell all of my friends not to attend or watch, and I believe that many others feel this way as well. If he wants to be a politician he should run for office.
Bochy was better says
As a lifelong Giants fan I remember Gabe’s hiring apology tour, and how to cover for his shameful treatments of victims of sexual abuse at the hands of Dodger animals, Gabe got super woke, hired a female coach to atone for his sins, and singled out the one player on his team who had the guts to not bow for BLM. (Coonrod) Perhaps to avoid getting fired in the Bay Area Gabe thinks his progressive shtick will win hearts or minds. Or maybe he’s butt hurt Steve Kerr beat him to the beta male emotional take. I’ll give him credit for not getting in the way of the NL West title last year, but he can be replaced with any other sabermetric enthusiast who will do just as good a job. Hey Gabe, your team kind of stinks right now and you got swept by the Padres. Do your job.
Dick Zenormis says
Gabe, you POS. Why don’t you color your hair purple, and join Antifa & BLM, read Karl Marx and start goose-stepping?
BidenregimesoldAmerica says
This is why millions do not pay attention to sports any more-complete sheltered ignorant millionaires shit on America while knowing nothing of what they speak of. The moment you pull a stunt like this for the dozens of black kids shot in Chicago this Memorial day weekend or worry that almost 100 billion US $$ Is being stolen through a proxy war in Ukraine or you take your ass to Ukraine & stand next to the nazis of azov fighting for a complete puppet zelinski.. then you can be taken seriously. Your a joke & jist another mask pulled down in this epic time of reveal
T says
Narcissistic douche bag… baseball sucks anyways.
SteveO says
Perhaps what should be addressed is the nihilism that many young men feel and the manner in which they are being cast out and isolated. When people are well-connected in community and have a good sense of self they don’t do such horrific things. Rather than the entire country being obsessed with telling people that there is no truth about what a man or a woman is, perhaps we should focus on helping young men to develop as responsible individuals.
Thomas W Jaeger says
It’s an even more disgusting state of affairs when our National Anthem isn’t respected. Hopefully nobody will show up for your games! I’m a disabled veteran.
D Goodman says
Yes, thanks for your actions. They do nothing. They are talk, words, attention to self. Now lets see how you actually do something with your $$, your platform, lets see where your soul is really at……. And by the way…..Our National Anthem is for what is right with our country, its for our ideals, it is for what we are striving it to be. If we equated the National Anthem to agreeing with the things that are wrong no one would ever, ever, ever stand. Because when people are involved there is one thing guarenteed. Something will always be wrong.
Think of it as standing for what’s right and what you want this country to be.
DG
NoMoMrNiceGuy says
You used the word THINK in your comment and praise of this moron – I do not believe you know the meaning of the word think – especially not where TRUTH is involved.
Diggs says
You know what I am sick and tired of? People, like pro athletes and actors and musicians spouting off about things they have no real experience with or knoweldge of, and they do it simply because they can. And the sheep of our country listen and follow. Mr. Kapler, what do you think disrespecting our nation’s flag and amthem accomlishes? Absolutely nothing. The flag and the anthem dont just represent our current country. They represent, even more so, those who came before us and made our way of life possible. Made it possible for people like you to just sit in a dugout, where the toughest decision you make is who will pitch next. Being of Jewish heritage, you, of all people, should be thankful for what this country and its people have done…and continue to do. You don’t like it here…leave. No one is forcing you to stay here. You are a disgrace to the many men and women who fought and died to give you the freedom to sit on your ass in a dugout and spout your mouth off, while you actively do nothing to help.
John Hechtlinger says
I agree with Gabe completely, and I’m a big Trump supporter. On the issue of gun control we disagree with President Trump though I agree that many of the Dem politicians who expressed outrage could care less about the parents of Uvalde.
Frank says
Anyone who dislikes our nation so much that they refuse to honor her in even the smallest ways, is welcome to leave.
Tony Roumell says
Say, Powder-Puff! You have no clue as to what the National Anthem represents. You are not protesting, you are subverting. You have no idea of what the 2A represents. You are part of the problem , my friend, and do not even realize it. To be brave, which you are not, is to look at the issue straight in the eye and acknowledge the truth. You are too weak to do that which is evidenced by you using your public platform to promote weakness and distrust. Your job is to win baseball games. Your job is to sink the Dodgers and Padres. Your job is not to run your mouth about what America is or is not. That’s what elections are for. Shame on you.
Howie says
What a dumbass! You stand to honor those who gave you freedom not because you disagree with a current event. What a dumbass, no way his dad taught him at 11 to disrespect the flag and country because you woke about the latest political hot topic
dms ddd says
thanks for playing a game of baseball. and sitting out in protest.
David G76 says
That s neither bravery nor leadership … when 911 happened we did not ban airplanes but we reinforced plane and airport security … the same should have happened with schools since Columbine and the fact it did not happen means either (1) it s stupidity and incompetence or (2) it s plainly deliberate …
Ke So says
Ok, so you are mad. We all are. You appear to be condemning the whole country. This country allows you the freedom to express yourself. Revel in that. Oh, by the way, do the 10000 innocent DUI victims, 100000 opioid victims and the all the other victims out there also upset you? Instead of whining and showing disrespect to the whole country, how about getting involved.
Flying Squril says
Yes, thanks gabe for showing the true hypocrisy of the left on a national level. Did you know that statistically, these deaths account for only seven and a half minutes of work at planned parenthood? Every day, 1 baby is aborted every 25 seconds. But let’s grab some headlines.
Daniel Frances says
No one cares
Peter Domeika says
No thanks. You will not take my rights away in a knee-jerk reaction to a whacko with a gun. Had he mowed them down with a vehicle would you be talking about banning cars? Hardly. What if he threw them from the roof….ban gravity itself or maybe no structures over one storey? No, what idiots don’t seem to grasp, and it’s not a mistake that they don’t because they are the same people responsible for messing up the minds of children, they dont get it that in troubled times it takes men with guns to make things right. I recently moved from PA to Florida and I’m a machinist and gunsmith. I’ll be having a promotion soon for a “ghost gun” workshop, where I instruct a paying client how to make an AR using my machines. I will make it my mission to put guns in the hands of every law abiding person here in Florida and there isn’t a damn thing al you pearl-clutching fools can do about it.
Sonny Crockett says
Where is the uproar from you and Kapler during the mass shootings every night in Chicago and Baltimore, etc?? The world will never be rid of guns. NEVER. The criminals and mental whackjobs DO NOT OBEY LAWS. They laugh at your endless fixation on more gun laws while the abundant current laws do nothing to deter a criminal from killing. It’s probably a safe wager you favored arming Ukraine, correct? Emotional fake virtuous hypocrite.
Mark says
Wait till you see child and infant death count from vaccines. You might want to get off your knees and do something about it.
Glen Jackson says
You think this was “Brave?” Kapler disrespected the very country that fulfilled his childhood dreams and you call him brave for this action? On Memorial Day weekend no less? A weekend that is designated to honor our fallen is NOT the time to try and steal the spotlight for a cause that Kapler obviously doesn’t even know what he is talking about! Yeah, I could go on about this not be the ONLY country where this happens or that the U.S. is one of the freest countries in the world (which is ironic that Kapler complains about not being free as he wants to take more freedom away), but I won’t! I would just like to thank Mr. Kapler for spitting in mine and my fathers face as we both spent over 20 years defending this, apparently, grotesque nation! Thanks Kapler, for dishonoring our war dead this glorious Memorial Day weekend! You did get one thing right, you are a frigging COWARD!!!! Go Giants!!!
Hillary ClitOne says
So you would rather suck Chuck Schumer’s Communist DemocRAT dick than listen to the National Anthem.
That’s to be expected in yhe Gay Bay.
HAVE AT IT FAGGOT! WHO CARES!
Dave Wagner says
Thank you – there are more of us, upright citizens, then those only concerned with just their selfish personal liberties.
I hate libturds says
That asshole should resign and give up his fat salary if he really meant it!!
Dee Wilson says
I agree, Thank you, Mr. Kapler, for writing this and for sitting out during the national anthem. I am ready for the repeal of the 2nd Amendment.
D. Johnson says
You should know that if you look at international data for all countries of the world that compares the number of guns per capita to the number of people killed by guns on a per capita basis, there is NO relationship between the number of guns and the number of people killed by guns. NONE. The USA ranks right along with the countries with the lowest rates of gun deaths. Please do your research in stead of following misguided emotions. Please.
kenray says
more people die from car accidents than from gun deaths .your just a lib trying to be relevant.400 million guns in america you will never take them lib boy .and ask the jews what happen when you give over you guns to the government .and this illagetament president the stole an election is what the 2ed amendment is for not for hunting .2000 mules .losers
Keith says
Brave? For parroting the media and DNC talking points? No, brave would be recognizing that the umpteen laws that are currently in-place didn’t do anything to stop this, so why would 20 more? How about enforcing the ones we have instead of continuing to focus on the ‘rights’ of long-rapsheet criminals and the mentally disturbed while defunding police department
Nichols says
So on point and reflecting the sadness, outrage, and disappointment so many of us are feeling. The completely open door for gun purchasing in Texas are a big part of this latest massacre. I am a 6th generation Texas and I’ve become increasingly ashamed of the direction things have headed here and I completely agree. Uts time to stop being quietly uncomfortable. Thank you, Gabe for your statement, it’s inspiring.
Mick Beach says
Here is some data to put things in perspective:
USA-ABORTIONS:“Total number of abortions in the U.S. 1973-2018: 61.8 million+ …In 2000, there were approximately 857,000 legal abortions in the United States. In 2019, this figure decreased to some 630,000.”
USA-CAR WRECKS:“Nearly 43,000 people killed last year as Americans returned to the roads after deserting them early in the pandemic.”
USA-ODs: “CDC indicated that nearly 108,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2021.”
USA-GUNS: “Last year saw the highest number of deaths as a result of active shootings – 103 total – since 2017.”
If saving lives is the goal then what sector should be the priority?
J Brady says
AR, as in, AR-15 stands for the company who makes the gun: Armalite. Just wanted to correct the record for those referring to the AR part as meaning ‘assault rifle’ or ‘automatic rifle’. As you were.
Bob Keeler says
Bravo, Gabe! I had an impression of you, from far away, as a muscular guy and not much more. Now I realize that the muscle that lives in your head is functioning at a heroic, almost poetic level. What you wrote was a gem, perfectly reflecting the moment. I hope you don’t catch too many incoming artillery rounds, as Colin Kaepernick did. (You do have one advantage over him: You are not a person of color. But in the current hate-filled climate, who knows? I am now going to send your blog post to an elderly Giants fan, who will likely not be pleased by your stance. It’s tough for me to praise the manager of a team that just finished demolishing the Mets, who scored 28 runs in three games. But your eloquence and bravery have overcome my momentary sadness over the less-than-friendly greeting that your lineup gave Thomas Szapucki in his major-league debut. You are now a hero to me.
Pax,
Bob
Responsible Owner says
Funny this kid went an got his guns the legal way – like most responsible gun owners = he’s the one to choose how to use the gun he bought – so more laws against guns are only hurting the responsible people – criminals don’t abide by any laws – i.e. Washington D.C. / Chicago / N.Y. – all areas where criminals commit more homicides than the last 200 mass shootings – Knives kill more people than people are aware of … should we ban knives ???
Erica says
I love you and share in tour heartbreak. So much respect for your decision. We are no longer free. We are hostages to greedy selfish cowards in Congress. I urge everyone in sports to do the same.
My 2 cents patriot says
You sir need to stick to baseball and wait till ALL THE FACTS COME OUT. Fact – even though its an all doors locked school a teacher propped open the back door and shooter entered-that teacher needs to be deposed and prosecuted. fact safety officer was not on campus. Fact police waited almost an hour waiting for swat WHILE THEY ALL HAVE BODY protection. They were told to wait and stand down. WHERE WAS THE HEROES THST WERE SWORN TO PROTECT AND SERVE-apparently they protected themselves. Police chief said in hindsight it was a wrong decisions to not enter – he needs to be fired and prosecuted. NOT TO MENTION a poor kid mentally deranged and said 4 years ago when he’s a senior he will commit a school shooting, NOT TO MENTION a poor kid with $4k-$5k of armory and weapons driving an expensive truck-SO DONT OPINE like all you sport people always do UNTIL YOU KNOW THE FACTS – shut up and play ball
Bill says
WEF bot Joan prefers we sleepwalk into a dystopian future. Women should be the most progun. God made all people and Samuel Colt made them all equal
American says
Please move to another country!!! Today
Hans says
Of course a non gentile who is soft as applesauce showing his Jewish revolutionary spirit , barf. So tired of these drama queens called non gentiles.
Hartmut Esslinger says
Dear Mr.Kapler, Thank you for making your feelings public – I also decided not to stand and with my hand at my heart. In addition to the unspeakable suffering by the mass murders, the circumstances of cowardice, cynical posturing by corrupt politicians and conspiracy criminals, we finally are a country in which schools, supermarkets and county fairs are war zones of domestic terror. THIS MUST CHANGE! Kindest regards, Hartmut Esslinger
Bob says
Hey Gabe- if you hate it here so much why don’t you go to another country? Believe me, no one would even notice! Let’s see how much income you can generate there! There is no place for someone like you here. Amazing how you elites have absolutely no respect and show no thanks for being in the best country in the world!!
Timothy miller says
There are other avenues to voice your displeasure Kapler .At the end of the day you are disrespecting the flag , the USA , the military and myself . What you are doing is setting a bad example . Our country is far from perfect. Politicians, liberals and political correctness are to blame along with poor parenting .
Jim Jones says
What happened in Uvalde is tragic but also indicative of an average weekend in Chicago. I have never seen question our anthem over the daily violence in Chicago hypocrite.
Not gabe says
Just consider this late term abortions like all the other stupid liberals
Kaplersucks says
The flash doesn’t represent the state of our country nor does the national anthem. To disrespect those who have fought for our freedom is a disgrace in and of itself. How about you be about change instead of protesting something that has nothing to do with it.
JUSTICE FOR smALL says
Resign and become a police officer so you can “feel better” about solving problems, you spoiled fucking moron.
Jim T says
Your ignorant and this so called position your taking shows the bubble you live in. How about all the shootings in the major cities across the country? Your current city has turned into a shit show. 15 times the shooting deaths in schools is school transportation every year. It’s not about saving lives your about showing how woke you are in a city that due to horrible woke policies is not the great city it once was.
Tita says
Support, fund, follow, and share Angel Families! Show respect and honor to American killed or murdered by illegals.
angel families dot org
https://angelfamiliesofamerica.org/
https://angelfamiliesofamerica.org/
#AngelFamilies
Me myself and I says
BRING BACK BOCHE !! You disloyal loser. What your doing makes ZERO sense. Sure you have a right to be a disloyal American idiot, but that doesn’t mean that your not that. One man commits a crime so America Sucks? Same nonsense logic. Thanks for ruining the Giants, and making my decision to cancel my MLB.tv subscription easy.
Hugh says
I agree with almost everything you said except his right to protest the anthem. But as a Veteran I have every right to say his actions in this holiday weekend is despicable and a slap in the face to all the men and women who gave the greatest sacrifice. You can sit down Gabe but please shut up also.
James Alfano says
If Kapler cared about shootings he need’s only to look at most cities in this country . Chicago has 30 shooting a weekend and more on holiday weekends Is he cancelling the Giants games in Chicago in protest. There is something hollow in the criticisms of these types . By the way Australia’s confiscation of guns in 1996 did nothing to stop homacides.
Sean says
ONLY country this happens in? Ignorant statement. Unfortunately, people don’t understand that a society that has financial, economic, social and family problems will inevitably lead to a more violent society. Higher violent crime rates per capita are prevalent in other countries compared to the US. Also, people are ignorant as to why the 2nd amendment exists. It’s arguably the most important right. It does not exist to shoot “deer wearing Kevlar” like some politicians claim. Firearms, and firearm owners, are the easy scapegoats. There are countless laws on the books. There are red flag laws. There are (nearly) gun free cities and states— some are the most violent and murderous. I understand the heart break and emotional pleas, but rights cannot be taken away because a (minority) part of the population wants them gone. Besides, to call a constitutional convention to erase the 2A would open the floodgates and put all rights in the crosshairs. (I’m sure one side that welcomes censorship and reliance on the fed govt would welcome that, however.)
Lon says
With all due respect to you and your father, I belive you are both misguided. Why not pledge aligience to your country,flawed as it is, then do something truly substantive to demonstrate your devotion and facilitate the change you want? With your platform you have the potential to do so much more than an inefectual cancel/virtue signaling gesture.
Rex Eugene Mason says
Sorry Gabe. Many, no all, of us feel what you feel about the Uvalde Innocents. You’re fortunate that many of us will still defend your right to protest the U.S. That is what you’re doing when you kneel. When the flag comes by, I will stretch just a little higher on your behalf on July 4th.
Rex Mason, Prescott, AZ
Dan Bercu says
You are the only guy with Balls in this entire country!
We miss you Gabe
Dan Bercu
Joshua Pike Mather says
You need to kneel on the field. I cannot go in the dugout. My protest must be public. You need to lead. You need to take knee the field, or better yet we sould lie on the ground like slaughtered children.
Dirk Diggler II says
Thank you sir!
Nothing can be so brave as hiding in the Mens room while some music is played!
Loser.
Roy says
You are not a true leader. I am a veteran and saw to many not come home. Are you a veteran. Grows pair come out and make your statement don’t hide in the locker room like a pos. You probably voted for Biden you have yourself to blame.
Tony Spitzmiller says
Not Brave just sensationalism to promote something that does not have anything to do with the tragedy. Let’s talk about the problem and leave the anthem out of it. This country could be a lot better but no one steps up to the problems only what they are not going to do. Solve the problems do not protest something else.
Heather Parmley says
Thank you.
Anita M. says
I totally agree! I admire the courage it took to act in such a forthright way. It is insanity to read the comments of some on this site who are incapable of critical thinking skills. But not surprised, unfortunately. Maybe one day this country will be full of people who believe and act in the best interest of themselves and others.
Gabe Kotter says
Another uninformed muscle head. America is the only country with mass shootings? Read a book. Your dad should be disappointed with you for being a dummy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNJ3X8ZaJgM&t=621s
Ian says
“The right to bear arms of people WHO BELONG to a well regulated militia shall not be infringed upon” is the change we need to the 2nd amendment.
Dan bercy says
Republicans are evil. They deserve to have their sons killed in mass shootings and their daughters raped and banned from abortions
Gavin grewsome says
So sad to see so many fooled by false flags and government stupidity. Read a tutorial on the 2A, realize that it exists to prevent the government overreach we are seeing daily…Then rethink your positions.
Carlos Fernandez says
In Gabe Kapler’s world, the United States of America has to bat 1.000 or pitch to a 0.00 ERA. This is the greatest country in the history of the world, but it’s still not perfect. We strike out every once in a while. They hit a jack off us at times. But we are still MVP caliber. You don’t publicly give up on an MVP player, because he wasn’t perfect. Gabe Kapler just doesn’t like the US, it’s as simple as that.
Did he walk out on the anthem when a racist ran over a slew of people in Wisconsin during a Christmas parade? Did he protest when another racist opened fire recently on a NY City subway? Did he bend the knee when yet another racist killed 5 Dallas police officers? When another racist ran over and killed a Capitol Police officer in DC? Of course he didn’t. You know why.
Blaise Pascal says
Brave would be outrage and protest that not ONE RED CENT has been spent to protect children while TRILLIONS were spent to secure airports and air travel and launch a 20 year war when thousands were killed on 9-11. No guards, no tech, no weapons, …nothing. If you loved kids, you’d keep them away from unsafe places or demand those places be defended.
9-11 didn’t result in banning guns or planes or bombs, but that seems to be an fixation here.
Richard Wills says
Is it really only the stupid people that think that evil criminals follow laws? Laws are only for Lawful people. In case you didnt notice… its illegal to kill a person regardless what you use to kill them and taking our guns wont stop the Chinese guy that killed over a dozen kids in school with a knife. Guns dont kill people… stupid people that take guns out of school are responsible to the children deaths. How do you stop a crazy guy with the intent to stab a dozen school children… yep for all the slow folks…. a good guy with a gun. EVIL CRIMINALS DONT FOLLOW LAWS… Gun regulation will only affect those that desire to follow the law and if you would be stupid enough to think criminals will turn in their guns when the government passes a law to turn them in or regulate them. Pure ignorance.
Fig Newton says
Gabe’s a failed manager what has deep thoughts…
Cannot even fill in a roster card. Pathetic.
Children have about the same risk of dying from lightning at school than from a mass shooting.
Per capita mass shootings are lower in the US than France, Norway, and several other northern European countries beloved by lefties.
Chicago is handgun free and leads the nation in handgun deaths and attempts to murder with guns.
Until nobody has a gun, everybody should have a gun.
KC says
You live in the greatest country on the planet. Speak your mind but don’t blame the country because some nut does something you don’t like. You can’t change the fact that the world is full of crazy people. How many times did you whine about all the blacks killing each other every day? Never…Grow up
Ray Burciaga says
F**k Kapler and any other athlete that has never served their country! Only benefited from the ones that have. He better hope that some patriot that is armed defends his family if they find themselves in a bad situation. And the rest of u that blame a gun for these evil doings.
116693aa says
“I didn’t want to call attention to myself. I didn’t want to take away from the victims or their families. “
…and Yet You Did!
[email protected] says
GK, Thank you 🙏
Travis Cosgrave says
Really powerful piece, Kap. Thank you for speaking out
Brian Keller says
Thank you Gabe! You very eloquently put into words what I, and many others have been feeling. I have been so angry this week since this happened. I hate feeling this way, but more of us need to. May, just maybe if enough of us feel this way, and are willing to show how we feel, change will finally begin.
Kaepernick7 says
#ISTANDWITHKAP
Perry says
How about “I kneel with Kap”?
scott says
fraudulent narrative blown completely out of proportion. blm responsible for multiple DEATHS and businesses RUINED and people beat up and police precincts burnt to the ground. other than that…………a peaceful organization. if you are SO concerned with guns and shootings then go to chicago and baltimore and philly and new york and la and st louis. get the hand guns off the street. and quit being scared to put black people in jail. if they are killing people with illegal hand guns then they face a mandatory big sentence.
we kneel for the Place we have to protest.
we kneel for the people that gave their life, their arms, their legs for our right to protest.
we kneel for the idea and hope that is America.
so now everyone that has a complaint will kneel? yes, we have already started.
Paul says
Thank you Gabe ❤️
Darryl Nolen says
Thank you for a well said depiction of this country. Politicians are a waste of tax payers dollars.
Pete Sanukus says
Well said Unfortunately, our country is managed by folks whose kids will never be shot in school
Greg says
Very well written by someone who does care! The problem we face is within hours it became politicians pointing fingers including the president (allegedly). So I ask, now what?
Ahri (@blossomEtheria) says
Insightful, well thought out post. I know you want to do more but what you do, speaking up, is enough. You know how it is now, do one well meaning thing and people will find ten thousand things wrong with your gesture, and worse, accuse you of wanting to insert yourself into the issue. Everything is so muddled
and sometimes staying to the side is the best thing to do instead of being used as a distraction to detract from the real issues. We do what we can, in those kinds of moments. Thank you for your honesty Gabe, you’re a good man.
Jason Solomon says
Thank you for being a voice of reason. You have a large pulpit, and I’m proud to be in your congregation.
Anna says
You are demonstrating what you learned from your dad, in this post and in the way you move through the world. We don’t ever get only one chance at things, but no chances are identical. Different circumstances call for different responses. Protest must take many multiple forms. Trust your gut.
Henry Samuelson says
Need to get all your data before making generalizations. https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/mass-shootings-by-country
Bob Hilbig says
Need to read your own article fully.
Buster Brown says
From your own source:
“ Using the median analysis, the United States is the only country examined that shows a propensity for mass shootings.”
Tom Tuhtan says
You obviously don’t know how to read data:
1) uses mean vs median to skew the results
2) ignores fact that no other country besides US had more than 2 years out of 7 with a mass shooting. US has them every year
3) conveniently stops tracking data in 2015 before US mass shooting rates skyrocketed to where they are now
Perhaps you should’ve checked the sources that even the flawed study listed.
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/united-states-lower-death-shootings/
Peter Smith says
US has 110 mass attack deaths in past 5 years, 0.3 per million people. Subest of Commonwealth countries, Canada, NZ, Aus, UK, have >80 mass attack deaths, 0.6 per million people.
John says
“The pro-gun nonprofit Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC)” “2009-2015”
Dena Grant says
Painfully true.😞
Greg says
You had me for a while. Then you said guns were used almost exclusively for the slaughter of human beings and then I realized you have no idea what you’re talking about and I stopped reading.
Gary in San José says
The line is “…a country that refuses to take up the concept of controlling the sale of weapons used nearly exclusively for the mass slaughter of human beings.” He is referring to the specific type of weapon that was used by the shooter at Uvalde, a high rate-of-fire semi-automatic rifle which uses high-capacity quick-change magazines. These types of guns are not used for hunting (or shouldn’t be, and I believe that it is illegal to do so in most, if not all, states) – they are not sporting guns; they are a slightly watered-down version of military weapons, weapons that are intended solely for the taking of human life.
Sally Lamb says
SLamb
Zach says
Maybe if you took a second to think you’d understand what he meant. But based on your comment- thinking obviously isn’t a strong suit. To enlighten you, he meant assault rifles. Which are used exclusively for the slaughter of human beings.
Luke says
In other words, “I read something I disagreed with so I stopped reading to maintain my own narrative.”
There, fixed it for you.
Thomas Scherrer says
Well, considering the United States is (in no particular order):
Occupying 1/3rd of Syria.
Funding Saudi air forces to bomb Yemen.
Reentered Somalia without Congressional approval.
Funded $40 billion of weapons to Ukraine to support their military with known neo-Nazis in them.
Yeah, our country uses guns to destroy and destabilize countries.
John Schobert says
Who makes those decisions.
The crooked politicians that make more under the table than millions of taxpayers in this country.
And by the way,they are on both sides of the aisle.
Ben says
Very well written Mr Kapler. You are definitely not alone in, not only how you feel, but how you are conflicted on how to show your displeasure with the direction of our country. You are not a coward – you just haven’t figured it out yet. When you do, we will stand with you and support you.
Malik says
I will say that if you had kneeled, that move would have made me tap out on you completely. I wouldn’t have ever listened to what you had to say after that. By not doing that and choosing this option, here I am reading your thoughts with an open mind instead.
Antonio Robledo says
Why would you tap out? Kneeling is protest my friend.
Josh says
Protesting gross misuse of power and injustices is what this country was founded on. There is literally nothing more American. King George would have loved to have you on his side I’m sure.
Antonio Robledo says
Kap, you’re so so right. Great words. our “leaders” have failed us again and again on this issue. Protest and vote. No more slaves to the Gun lobbies in congress. Vote progressive. Lets fix this issue.
Pat Smith says
The National Anthem has nothing to do with someone shooting kids. It is never ok to not stand during its playing
wetitus says
if i was one of those parents id probably never stand for it again until any change happens. you’re actually more upset about a piece of fabric than children being slaughtered weekly in this country. you’re dispicable
James says
The National Anthem is in part about the flag and my advice to anyone in the word is to never pledge allegiance to a flag that has not pledged allegiance to you.
Until the US flag waves as a banner that guarantees shelter, health care, food, education and full body autonomy I will never salute it or honor it. (You wouldn’t want the government to mandate your must give a kidney to keep someone alive would you?)
We were all taught to pledge allegiance to the flag. Not enough of us were ever taught that the flag needs to earn that allegiance.
If you think the flag simply represents the lives given up by people so we could have freedom you are clearly looking at that one aspect of the flag in a vacuum. And that vacuum is a flawed vacuum. We weren’t fighting for freedom when we invaded Afghanistan, Vietnam, Iraq, et cetera.
We bombed civilians in Japan who were on the verge of surrender.
If you like to wave the flag around as a symbol of “might makes right” and it gives you the freedom to bully others then you can have that flag. I’ll find one that represents people who think that the most valuable thing on earth is each other. I try to treat people the way Jesus would treat them.
JP says
Good Luck finding that perfect flag.
Tim Prior says
It is literally always ok not to stand for an anthem with a melody based on a British drinking song that we also conveniently only sing 1 of the 4 verses for. The song isn’t something sacred. Go ahead and try to tread on our Freedom of Speech.
David F says
Thank you…
David says
Another moronic leftist. Sorry, but no gun laws will stop someone who is willing to mass murder people. The only way to stop evil (leftists filled with hate, as this shooter was) is to protect our children with armed officers at every school.
LeeAnn says
Well said Gabe! This country is in a sad state. Guns are the problem, not mental illness!!
wetitus says
do you people really think constantly surrounding kids with armed guards like they’re in a prison will help their mental health and wellbeing?
The Truth says
So you’re seriously trying to argue that protecting kids from the bad guys will be bad for their “mental health and well-being”?!? My god, you libtards are insufferable…
The Truth says
The only people who are mentally ill are the ones who think that guns kill people on their own.
James says
You’re so right. Gun bans have never solved anything.. except that one time in 1996 that Australia had the biggest mass shooting in history and decided to ban guns. No mass gun shootings since. So I take it back.. you’re wrong.
In 2020 guns became the leading cause of death in children and teenagers in the United States. America loves to be number 1 regardless of the category. Let’s arm every citizen and make it mandatory and see how much higher the death-by-gun rates can go.
InigoLatoya (@InigoLatoya) says
Also Australia: Literal concentration camps last year because the populace was disarmed.
Also, the murder rate is the same, they just use knives now.
Dontworryaboutit says
You’re a moron, Australia banned guns and rape and stabbings went through the roof . Please stfu if you dont know what youre talking about
Dontworryaboutit says
“In 2020 guns became the leading cause of death in children and teenagers in the United States.” Lmao bitxh staap making up dumb statistics. Youre a fucking clown
Get Real says
If these magical “armed guards” are cut from the same cloth as the useless cops who stood around outside and getting physical with parents whose kids were in the building getting slaughtered, then no f-ing thanks.
If people want to play Rambo so bad, tell them to join the military. Civilians should never have access to weapons like an AR-15.
Anon says
You and your hate spewing are despicable. Blaming it on a “leftist” teenager who probably had no political identity whatsoever. Making absurd claims with no evidence is the republican way.
Mark says
David, you have shit for brains.
David says
You’re angry you didn’t get a chance to molest those kids.
Typical liberal.
Michael says
It’s a sad commentary on the state of our political system when two Bay Area coaches are willing to take a stand and point out the obvious and main reason that our children are being murdered. All we get from the NRA $ addicted politicians is that we need better doors.
JRocks says
I can’t wait for Gabe and Steve to speak out against the atrocities committed by Chinese Communist Party.
Dan says
Absolutely
chris smith says
Well said. So sit or take a knee tonight.
siva gajamugan says
Honest truth from the heart , reveal the pathetic state of gun law in state
SF Liberal says
So true. Texas has no gun laws. Meanwhile, here in California, we have very STRICT gun control laws. That’s why we never had a mass shooting like Texas. San Francisco has had no one shot and killed by guns because of the tight gun control laws that we want imposed on the rest of the country.
Ubie says
100 senators, running the whole US. Straight BS. Do what the people want!
James Woods Marshall says
Fuck everything else. I appreciate your courage. Thank you for respecting us all enough to tell us how you feel.
Christopher Buser (@thebuser) says
Well said, sir.
Madison Martin says
I’m Canadian; but I say if you want to protest then go ahead; it’s called standing up for what’s right and for the people who have a problem protesting with people standing up for what’s right then that’s their problem not the problem of those who chose to stand up for what’s right. Hopefully the more people who stand up for what’s right that will get politicans to fix things or better yet these people will become politicans and then hopefully they solve some of these issues by banning the sale of guns period and whatever else they need to do. So thank you for writing what I’m sure so many people wanted to say but weren’t comfortable saying; it’s time to elect people who actually do what’s right and walk the walk and actually fix problems and not just do what the curent ones do. It starts with voters, it’s time for change.
and-on-a-moose says
lol
The fact that you’re writing about it NOW to please redditors and twitter morons is all I needed to see.
Michael says
Well articulated, as your posts have always been. A true patriot. Freedom includes the freedom to protest and speak up when things are not as they should be.
Lisa J Eichinger says
I applaud and commend you for speaking up and as a teacher I thank you. Now, what do we do next to make sure this doesn’t happen again? You are in a position of power where you can make a difference. Your organization can make a difference. I bet of you……….put your thoughts into action that WILL make a difference for our country. Thank you for having the courage to speak up……….just keep it up now. We need CHANGE and people like you CAN make a difference. Again, thank you…….your words mean a lot to me!
James says
First off, you write very well and eloquently, and your heart shines through your article, showing that you are a good man who cares about human suffering and wants to alleviate it, and for that I applaud you. The only way we could have a chance to end mass shootings would be to get rid of almost all guns, even handguns can fire dozens of shots. People who say we could do it any other way are lying to you and making it seem more simple than it is.
I am an American who refuses to buy into a solution that would put civilians into a situation where we are at the mercy of a government whose personnel are the only people in society with weapons. How can someone on the left talk about police brutality and at the same time advocate getting rid of all guns except for the guns the cops have? The rise of tyranny is always a possibility in any society, whether your is fascism or communism or nazism, we should always be aware of the precarious state of freedom. At the end of the day, a capacity for resistance to crushing authoritarianism is crucially linked to a capacity for the populace to engage in violent resistance against the government.
There are measures we can take to protect our schools. If we can pass a bill giving $50 billion to Ukraine, we can pass a bill putting armed guards in all public schools, and I don’t mean like 2 or 3 guards, I mean 15. We could do that. We could protect our children the way we protect other government buildings like airports, in a way that is much more practical than getting rid of all of the 393 million guns in the United States.
George says
Dude. You want to know how ludicrous you sound? The US military is more powerful than God. If your puny AR-15s are your security blanket against “tyranny” then you are delusional. The US military have weapons we can’t even imagine. You will be snuffed out in a second. No amount of consumer guns and ammo are going to protect you against a futuristic force that spends more money on weapons than all other countries COMBINED. Stop with the 18th century LARPER crap. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/justice-burger-2nd-amendment-meme/
James says
A couple considerations. First of all, you can’t tell me that tens of millions of American citizens, many of whom are law enforcement and former military, armed to the teeth, could not pose a formidable challenge to the United States military, which has about 1.4 million service members, many of whom have never seen combat. Secondly, if fighting actually broke out between rebels and the military, many soldiers would refuse to fight their family and friends and would either just quit or join with the rebellion. This includes high ups and commanders.
This wouldn’t happen without an armed resistance though, because if its as simple as marching in and saying were taking over, and not having to face the prospect of killing their countrymen, the people in the military wouldn’t have a problem following orders. However, if they are told to bomb their own towns and cities, which is the only way they could defeat a civilian force that is armed and greatly outnumbers them, many of them would refuse to do it.
An armed populace is also simply just a deterrent to any leaders who even are thinking about going authoritarian, for the reasons I just laid out.
And finally, even if it wasn’t successful, the fact remains that the population has the right to posses weapons which they can wield in defense against tyranny, even if the battle is going to be hopeless. We will never give up our guns Never.
Grover Gardner says
I spy a talking point! The Uvalde SD had a secuirty budget of $435K in 2022, and they used it. Didn’t help one single bit.
Pierre says
So many lies in this by king liberal clown himself. A disgrace. Just lie Kerr, who advocated for the defunding of police and removal of SROs from schools. Always jumping to conclusions before actual thinking and waiting for all the facts to come out. But you are just a baseball guy who wants to look tough with fake tanner and tats but is charmin soft. You offer no solutions that would make any difference and then make outrageous claims that are easily debunked. Keep making a fool of yourself along with Kerr. Must be a bay area thing….Definitely is, reason why I moved as far away as possible.
Kyle says
American exceptionalism – the only thing you guys excel at ignorance, cruelty, racism, and violence. You should be embarrassed constantly. In Canada we use you guys as a “At least we’re not America!” as an excuse to not be better and lower our own standards and justify our own shittiness, so if you could shape up and stop being a broken nation that’d help us out too.
Eric G. says
Full disclosure, I’m a law enforcement officer so I know I’m going to face multiple insults and disrespectful/hateful comments. There is a reason the officers on scene would not want parents of the children to run into an active shooter situation. Simply put you would be enabling more people to become victims. As far as that mother who was placed in handcuffs I’m fairly certain it was done to prevent her from becoming another victim. NOW having said all that, I would request people wait until all the information is in and an investigation is complete before passing judgement on the actions of the officers who responded. Mr. Kapler asserts that a father’s daughter was killed while he argued with cops. Was Mr. Kapler on scene during this incident. Was he at the school? Was he a witness to anything at the scene? It’s uncorroborated claims like that which only inflame the situation and make people distrust those in professional sports and entertainment when they decide to make statements about tragic incidents. If an investigation reveals the officers did not fullfil their sworn duty HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE. But from personal experience working in this line of work for nearly 20 years I suspect those officers were chomping at the bit to run into that school to help those children. They know it’s their duty and it’s what they signed up for. In the meantime I would hope those with a public platform, such as Gabe Kapler, would wait for all the facts to come out before questioning the bravely of those officers who responded to the scene.
Richard Stewart says
Fair enough.
Richard Stewart says
Man the troll farm found this comment section and just attacked it. funny that none of these “Americans” appalled by an anthem protest have names.
The internet is so broken.
Justin M. says
Not the weekend to disrespect our nation or flag. Pretty disrespectful Gabe. Move out then. How much $ have you made playing a game. Sorry, Memorial Day has lost it’s meaning.
Gabe’s Daddy says
You are an absolute coward, and a liar..
First off, the United States isn’t even in the top 10 in the world for mass shootings. Stop listening to CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle. They lie
Second, until you demand that the police and security that guard Oracle disarm? You’re nothing but a hypocrite.
A few years ago you were crying that the police were too brutal. And now you’re a crying that the citizens have guns and can protect themselves. Which is it? Do good people have the right to defend themselves against the police force that you say is out of control?
So not only are you a coward and a liar, you’re not very smart.
Grow up
Richard Stewart says
Yeah you don’t use a real name and he’s the coward. Get lost, bot.
Jeff says
Thank you Gabe, Any of these fools that don’t get what you said are just ignorant pieces of crap.. They don’t get it because they don’t have a heart they care more about guns than children. Probably trump fans.. I feel sorry for their hearts. If any of them would have had a child murdered, they would have understood but because they l they don’t know what it’s like to walk in the footsteps of these poor parents, they are too ignorant to know the truth. There is nothing you can write or say that would get them to understand because it’s not possible with their cold hearts. All they will do is just read what is written and argue because there’s nothing you could say to get them to understand the truth.Again I really appreciate your honesty And bravery bro.
James Dean says
Trump has nothing to do with it Dumb ass stop you Dummycrat self
InigoLatoya (@InigoLatoya) says
The typical Alinsky tactic: Try to dehumanize anybody who disagrees with you.
I see you.
Joseph Francis says
God I miss Botchy!!!
David Z says
Thank you, Kap. Glad you’re managing the Giants
Tom Quigley says
Thank you Gabe!
Josh says
Well put, Gabe. I couldn’t agree more, thank you for using your platform to initiate real change.
Alex Wittenberg says
Wow, look at the trolls.
Gabe, speaking as one lefty Jew to another, I have to applaud not just taking a stand but doing so knowing you are going to be at the receiving end of a lot of crap. The antisemites are on their way right now, but I am sure you know this, and you clearly are not flinching. Good for you. Good for all of us who share your anger.
Gabe’s Daddy says
Not a single person here’s been anti-Semitic. Way to bring race, or religion into something that has nothing to do with it. Grow the fuck up dumbass
lazlo says
Yeah, well as another Jew, I’m ashamed of Kapler. It’s atheist lefty Jews like you that bring rise to anti-Semitism while the rest of us go about quietly appreciating this country that has been so good to us. It’s Trotskyite Commies like you that usher in fascism, ya twit. Read some history. You support Kerensky but you’ll get Lenin.
David Shultz says
Mr Kapler. I would like make a comment on your statement that you chose not to kneel during the National Anthem so as to not show disrespect to our military and veterans. I also hold our active military and veterans in the highest regard. However you are mistaken in giving ownership of our National Anthem to our military. One of the aspects that makes our military the treasure that it is is that they serve at the behest of and for the people of this country. We, ALL OF US, own the National Anthem. It must represent ALL OF US or it represents none of us. This is also true of our flag. Both are symbols of this country which means of it’s people. While our military displays our flag as part of their uniform, and are invited to participate in ceremonial presentation of the National Anthem, they do so in their role as protectors of this country, not as owners.
Those who live in authoritarian countries do so in fear their military.
Our military is great because they serve us rather than own us.
Longtrail says
Our military doesn’t exist to defend us. It exists for profit to enrich the Oligarchs.
I’m ashamed of myself for supporting the actions of our government for my entire life since I began to think. The shame is because of a recent epiphany that my world view was based on an illusion. The illusion was built by what I was taught in school, what I saw on TV, read in newspapers and magazines. Fortunately I read lots of books. I spent much time in libraries.
My epiphany is the realization we live in a Narrative Matrix controlled by Plutocratic and Military Institutions who’ve created an illusion of democracy. A lady named Caitlin Johnstone pointed it out very clearly. She also said who controls the Narrative controls the World.
I realized we’ve been conditioned like Skinner’s rats and Pavlov’s dogs enthralled by infotainment provided by the Oligarchs who own the media and profit from it. They have us under control. We’re not as free as we’re told. Not only do they profit. It’s their tool to control us. They use the media to keep us anxious, divided and at each other’s throats, hence conquered.
Regarding mass shootings, they are not unique to the United States. They happen all over the world and in some places worse than here.
Carlos says
Great words and reflect what the majority of the American people believe. Unfortunately our “leaders” do not represent us.
We have the government we deserve, so we need to speak up.
InigoLatoya (@InigoLatoya) says
If you think “the majority” want the 2nd Amendment repealed, you live in an echo chamber.
Carolyn Greitzer says
Gabe, Dodger fan here. Thank you for your moral clarity and leadership. You beautifully articulate what many of us are feeling. Thank you for standing up and by your brave example, we are encouraged to do so as well!
HBall says
Brave words, Gabe. But think about this. If the framers of the Constitution 250 years ago who wrote the Second Amendment could have foreseen the future, do you really think they wouldn’t have said, whoa, wait a minutes. Yes, we want people to have the right to bear arms as a militia against an attack on our democracy, or for hunting, or target shooting. But to openly carry firearms without a permit like in Texas? Or long, military style guns that can fire hundreds of rounds a minute? Or guns you can buy on the Internet and assemble at home? Remember, the framers were familiar with single-shot muskets and pistols. And sure, they could not foresee the future. But if they could have, you can bet the Second Amendment would read differently and help insure the lives of innocent Americans. After all, the theme of the Declaration of Independence is “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” the three unalienable rights taken from the lives of 21 people in Texas, 19 of them children. We need a Constitutional Convention and will never get one. But the Second Amendment, more than any other, has to be brought to modern standards and no longer tied to 250-year old language.
Gabe’s Daddy says
The purpose of the second amendment has never been for any of the things that you mentioned. It has always been to protect the people from the government. It’s the whole purpose of the constitution in general. You need to read more
HBall says
You are correct – the Constitution is written to protect the citizens of our country from the government. And the Second Amendment gives the citizens the right to bear arms. The key words are, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” So were the killers in Texas, or Newtown, or Las Vegas members of a “well regulated militia?” And were the people they murdered part of the government? We change and update laws all the time – it’s one of the great features of our democracy. And no one is trying to take away guns, despite what the right and NRA claim. We just want some controls, like universal background checks that the MAJORITY of Americans want – like 80%!. And prohibition of ghost guns, which are unregulated with no serial numbers or registration. Someone please tell me how these violate the Second Amendment?
InigoLatoya (@InigoLatoya) says
Typical progressive response: A do-nothing gesture to signal how super serial you are, and then a rant about a symptom and not the root of the disease.
I know career ballplayers aren’t exactly scholarly, but a brief history lesson: The guns have ALWAYS existed. Hell, our parents and grandparents routinely took guns with them to school, because they would go hunting after school. It’s true. As a Gen X, you understand full well that when we were kids, guns weren’t even secured – they were just laying around in nightstand drawers or garages or up in a shoebox in the closet.
And yet these shootings were never a widespread problem until the Millennials and Gen Z. So if the access to the guns has remained constant, but the rate of instance has gone up dramatically – logically, the guns aren’t the problem.
So what’s changed? Well, we closed down the sanitariums in the 80’s, so mentally ill people no longer get the help they need or are put in inpatient care when they’re dangerous. Further, there’s been a movement by your fellow progressives to claim that mental illness is a badge of courage and not something that needs to be treated, for fear of “stigmatizing” it. The nuclear family has been demolished – fact: 80% of mass shooters didn’t have a father present in the home. And how many of the remaining 20% do you think weren’t actively involved in their childrens’ lives? My guess is the lion’s share. Also, we teach kids no coping mechanisms for failure or losing, we dont’ teach them how to handle rejection, and we sure as heck don’t teach them proper morals or values anymore (and I don’t mean religious values, I just mean “respect your fellow human” values, unless that human claims to be a member of a “traditionally oppressed class”). Oh, and now we’re pumping them full of pharmaceuticals and encouraging genital mutilation by telling them all that they’re in the wrong bodies.
So, logically, the guns can’t be the problem. The problem is how we’re raising our kids. The problem is we’re conducting endless scientific experiments on our kids and then acting surprised when it turns out 15+ years of head games makes them snap.
T Money says
You can’t logic to lefties, sadly, because they don’t think, they only feel. Logic requires one to confront their bias and evaluate a topic rationally. This inevitably introduces cognitive dissonance, and cognitive dissonance feels bad, so the feelers just learn not to think. Same people who think that inequity has to result from unequal treatment and that wearing a dress can make you a woman. I hope some readers have the intelligence and integrity to honestly evaluate what you’ve written, and the seeds of truth can have a chance to take root.
Kevin S. says
I wouldn’t consider posting videos of yourself shooting guns and family photos with the kids holding machine guns in political ads a logical or rational approach. Simple knee-jerk politics by the right to get votes. Is that not “feeling” over “thinking” by the “righties” as well?
Peter Smith says
I wonder about the excessive use of antipsychotics and SSRIs – on the Mother Jones database of mass shootings, 65% are shown as “Yes” for known mental illness and the other 35% are “not known” not “NO”.
Most of those, including most of the notorious ones like UT tower, Luby’s, VA Tech, were known to have recently started psychoactive drugs, and many of the drugs have specific FDA warnings for homicidal and suicidal ideation.
All of these started after UT, that shooter was known to be on Valium and talked about voices in his head after starting. Valium was new to the market then and literally there was only one US mass shooting before that, that first psychoactive drug. BTW the Vegas shooter was also on the same drug.
I wonder if man does not have the same natural potential for evil that these events indicate, but this is all one in ten million side effects from these drugs. Hard to tell, though.
Phil Bolsta says
Bless you, Gabe. You have the full support of the majority of Americans, as well you should.
scott says
hardly.
Parker A says
*majority of San Franciscans; that doesn’t represent America at all.
Hellscream Gold says
“You have the full support of the majority of Americans, as well you should.”
No he doesn’t.
Elizabeth says
A thousand times, thank you.
David says
Democrats commit over 50% of the violent crimes, so the obvious answer is to ban Democrats!!!
Wood chippers for all of you!!!
Parker A says
Very “brave” to not participate in the national anthem during the holiday where we honor our service members. If you are so “fed up” why don’t you direct some of your multi million dollar contract to the victims families instead of blowing hot blog air? Or do them both, but most importantly take real, tangible action. Your “protest” is in cowardice because it’s for the optics; it doesn’t resemble real action. It is your right to protest – respectfully I think this is just for the optics. Look at Gabe Kapler, what a “hero”. You sir, are a part of the problem – a stroking of the emotional feel goods, with nothing real behind it. Intelligent folks know this is just another “look at me” moment. You will be done with this in a week and nothing will have changed, but ESPN and the liberal media will gobble it up as a class act, when you haven’t done anything to change the state of affairs. In short, this is weak. This is not doing something, this is doing nothing.
David says
Gabe will take a knee so he can suck some dudes off. Dude is totally h0m0 like Obama!!!!
devinerichard says
You poor little man
Len says
Thank you, Gabe, for your eloquence, as well as your admission that making a statement is difficult. To say that you can’t stand by the anthem during this difficult time shows me that you know the anthem should mean something real, rather than inducing robotic behavior from those listening. Your principled stance shows me that you believe in this country. Everyone, regardless of their position, should be grateful to you for your thoughtfulness and true patriotism.
Tom White says
100 grenade launchers, 5,000 rifles, 1,000 pistols, 400 machine guns, and 400 shotguns;
Over 20 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenade launcher and mortar rounds; That is what the US recently sent to Ukraine. That is why we have the right to bear arms. To protect ourselves from unwelcome intruders and bad actors in our government.
Cary says
Thank you for having the balls the GOP and gun lobby don’t have.
Hellscream Gold says
How’s Chicago doing? Or other large democrat-led cities with high crime rates? That’s the GOPs “fault” in your eyes too, right?
Al says
How many times in Chicago has one person shot and killed 21 people?
Shawn says
You are a leader of men and don’t stand for the national anthem? Wow
Real American says
Our anthem is a moment of unity, whether you agree with any particular government policy or not. It is not about you or your politics. It is about us, in good times and in bad. Inserting your politics into that moment is not only a bad look and wrongheaded, it will not convince a single person who you need to convince that you’re right about anything. It will only further divide us. Think about that before you put yourself in the spotlight.
One of the great things about our country is that we all can have an opinion and disagree about politics, and we don’t have to be right about everything. We don’t all get our way, either. No sane person, regardless of political party, isn’t heartbroken about the murder of innocents by a madman that happened this week. Acting, however, that you have all the answers and that those who disagree must be responsible for their deaths is just plain dumb, childish, insulting and counterproductive. But maybe virtue signaling is the point.
Bruce says
Kerr/Kapler 2024
Joe Bidena says
Lmao only if you are out of touch with reality and love pussified America. These people are a disease
san mateo says
Parents, church, friends, schools, law enforcement, etc., let this kid down. American let this kid down. How about Jr Giant for that kid? Is the Giant’s going to start a Jr Giants in Texas?
christian says
Bet you had 0 problem coming out of the dugout during the riots ot 2016 2020 and when clinton was killin babies at Waco though right lefty. You Sir are a joke and the reason people are leaving sports in DROVES as fans. Also guess you don’t mine the country under the left killing 1,000, 000 babies a year in the US alone either eh? So you only have issue with older kids being murdered not infants per se? LOL what a tool
Freedomfighter11 says
You should continue to pay respect to the national anthem. It’s show respect to the veterans that died for this country. You make a lot of money. You are the 1%. I understand your frustration. Maybe you can start a nonprofit or a group to stop the sales of guns. But doing this stunt will only divide us more.
pikmartin says
he divided me with his stupid kneeling for the national anthem…. now him staying inside for the national anthem isn’t surprising at all. He is un-American and an idiot and I wish he would go to the country that better suit his ideologies
ben ray says
Well said Mr. Kap. Keep leading!
Kathy says
Thank you. Thank you.
You should quit says
People like you, sir, are the very reason so many of us in the heartlands flock to minor league baseball and give a good fisting to the folk of MLB. We’re sick of your preening judgement. Where were you when blm was rioting in the streets and killing people? Did you take a knee? I think not.
Richard Stewart says
The guy just wants kids to stop getting shot. Is that preening judgment?
Just to let you know, the shooter was neither trans nor an illegal immigrant. Fact check it. Then think about how you’d feel if you found out that you’re getting lied to. Who you mad at then?
Kapler. says
You not taking the field is cowardly. Beat feet outta here idiot.
Tom Christopherson says
Thanks for trying to lead change. However, not participating in the anthem will make no change but upset people. How about spend a week in DC and get in front of every congress man or woman or US Senator you can and talk some sense into them!! Use your voice and connections. Bring Buster or the Giants owner with you! Make a positive difference.
John K says
Thank you for eloquently writing what a lot of us are feeling. I never cared for you when you were managing my hometown Phillies but I have a newfound respect for you after reading this. Keep writing/speaking on this. You’re definitely not alone.
Barb Caffrey says
Thank you, Gabe.
Dan says
HERE WE GO AGAIN, NOT TAKING THE FIELD FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM. THEN WHY DON’T YOU QUIT YOUR HIGH PAID JOB FOR A GAME PLAYED BY LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS AND DO SOMETHING CONSTRUCTIVE ABOUT IT! WHY DON’T YOU SPEND YOUR TIME ON COMING UP WITH A SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM, WHICH IS MUCH MORE COMPLICATED THAN “GUN CONTROL.” A GUN DIDN’T GO INTO THAT SCHOOL ON IT’S OWN THOUGHTS AND PULL IT’S OWN TRIGGER! SUGGEST ALL YOU WANT, BUT IT’S THE POLITICIANS IN THE END WHO CONTROL THINGS AND WHY SHOULD THEY LISTEN TO A BASEBALL PLAYER? QUIT YOUR COACHING J0B AND GO LEARN TO BE A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. THAT WOULD BE A GOOD START!
Richard Stewart says
The boys and girls that got shot in Uvalde don’t get to play. Why don’t YOU face the actual issue and stop hiding behind your smart ass comments?
Jacob says
Had a law abiding ‘gun owner’ been present to take out the shooter, they would be. This kid was already breaking laws on the books and the laws didn’t stop them. Laws don’t stop criminals, they stop people who obey laws. People who could shoot back and stop monsters like this. You’re statement is ill informed and ignorant. The right to keep and bear arms is not up for debate.. it’s an inalienable right given to me by my creator. A right that allows me to defend against invasion whether it’s one criminal or a gang of them.. there’s a gun to stop them.
Mindy says
Take it easy with your ALLCAPS bud. You’re going to have a stroke.
Hellscream Gold says
Take a look where most gun violence happens and you’ll find it’s not in conservative areas. Just ask Chicago.
more control over law-abiding citizens won’t make much difference against the criminal element.
But you don’t understand that. All the left does is politicize this stuff. The media feeds the frenzy by the insane coverage for the attention getters and the finger-pointing trying to blame conservatives.
Richard Stewart says
Texas, bro.
Mickey Mc says
Why stop there, Gabe? After a win, how can you gleefully play slap ass on the field with your buddies like everything is fine and dandy? After the final out, you should be headed deep into the bowels of Oracle to plot the repeal of the 2nd amendment. Honestly, how can you waste 3 hours a night watching middle-aged men play a children’s game poorly, when you could instead be using that time to organize gun buy backs, which you would later feed into an industrial shredder? Unless you quit your job immediately, sell all your worldly possessions, say goodbye to your wife and family, and devote yourself to the destruction of the NRA and every gun manufacturer on Earth, I consider you to be no better than Charlton Heston.
Jimmy says
Thank you for your words. Narrow minds will never change but perhaps you words and actions may make inroads for some and cause change in the hearts of others.
Nancy D Brown says
After what’s going on in San Francisco – Really who cares what Gabe Kabler thinks – What A Hypocrite
Why hasn’t he already done something for that city.
Dean Gulberry says
Because working towards real solutions wouldn’t get him on click-bait news articles. Easier to kneel and bow down to liberalism.
Chris B says
Thank you, Gabe. I join you in frustration and sadness and I applaud you for going beyond the role that is expected of you and using your voice and conscience to at least express your personal anguish over the state of our country. So many of us feel it, too. Things are awful right now, and a good chunk of the comments here make me feel even worse about our country and its people.
Elizabeth says
agree … we all use the platforms we have, and do what we can where we can. Gabe shared his rationale. I applaud that. Clearly, many others have no respect for Gabe, but are attempting to use Gabe’s platform as trolls.
David N says
Kneeling for the flag. Now that will sure solve everything. Liberals never let facts get in the way of protest.
Richard Stewart says
We’ll it got your attention. So, proud conservative American, what’s your take on kids getting shot in school?
Scott B says
While sitting out the National Anthem is your right, if you want to really make a statement, donate some serious $$ to everytown.org or one of the other solid gun legislation organizations. Or to help the families of Uvalde. That would be making a difference.
Barb Caffrey says
I also wanted to say, as a writer and editor, that your blog is exceptionally well-written. I have Tweeted and sent links to it on Facebook, to do what little I can to call attention to your important words.
As a long-time Brewers fan, I am appreciative of every single Brewers former player.
I am even more appreciative of you today. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Jonny says
The Pledge of Allegiance is different than The National Anthem Skipper. You are showing disrespect to the Veterans who died fighting for your freedom, allowing you to choose to sit as a child during the pledge of allegiance. Timing is everything, and this Memorial Day Weekend is poor timing to become political!
Howser Slaught says
MLB and “Kap” don’t care about vets. It is all a show. Just buy the cool hats and jerseys and they will be happy.
Richard Stewart says
This guy’s backed vets, plenty. Why aren’t you backing a fellow American who just wants kids to stop getting shot in school, or at supermarkets? What’s political about that?!
Mike Mandel says
American vets would be embarrassed by what Americans are doing here at home. You have no right to assault rifles period, ever. stop.
George says
What is an assault rifle?
Definition please.
Richard Stewart says
You’re a good man, Kap. Thanks for making me stop and think.
Sum Ting Wong says
Must be hard to do for a liberal.
Richard Stewart says
You mean as opposed to the “guns don’t kill people, people kill people” crowd? Guess it’s hard for everybody to stop and think.
George says
Salvador’s gun wrecked his truck and walked into the school then pulled it’s trigger all the while being an inanimate object.
Only in comic books.
pikmartin says
you’re an idiot Kap – Move to another country, please!
Latrice Davis says
I agree with your sentiment. You’re saying out loud what I’ve known to be true for many years, if not most of my life. Keep the faith and stay true to what you believe.
toni prada says
Thank you for your honesty. You are so right. These weapons are used to kill many in a short amount of time. Allowing these weapons to be sold, without background checks, and in Texas to teenagers, what to expect to happen. And the unthinkable does happen to our more innocent.
RaGeNyC says
Gay.
Bill Rose says
Mr. Kapler you are wrong when you say that here is the ONLY country where mass shootings occur. The 5 deadliest mass shootings occurred outside of the U.S.
dennyg1234 says
Hello Gabe,
Thank you for your powerful, moving message that gave voice to and articulated how many Americans feel about the failure of political leadership to enact gun control regulations (age limits on weapons purchases, ammo magazine limits) and universal background checks that would begin to reign in the deadly and irresponsible acquisition and use of guns in our country. When I was 21 circa 1976 and working my way through college at my dad’s liquor store in Fremont, I was held up by a gunman who stuck a pistol on my chest and told me “Give me all the money. I’m not fucking around.” I gave him the dough and he ran out of the shop, thankfully with no shots fired. He was caught two weeks later in the midst of another robbery and I ended up testifying against him, though once I completed my testimony I never did follow up to find out what happened to him. I always had a healthy concern about guns and the damage they can do to people but it was probably more a feeling of fear of guns after I got held up, which I have to this day. And living in Littleton, Colo. and having a young son who just finished his freshman year at Columbine High School, you can imagine the danger of guns and school shootings are always on my mind. I’m hopeful, as you mentioned in your blog, that the majority of Americans in support of gun safety regulations will finally force the hand of political leaders in thrall to the gun lobby, NRA and wealthy donors. I think you using your very public platform to call attention to the issue also will help and perhaps push those who have remained silent to speak up as well. And I thank you for that. Sincerely, Dennis Georgatos. P.S. I am also hopeful that Giants majority owner Charles Johnson sees what you have written and begins to take it to heart rather than to keep bankrolling politicians like U.S. Rep Lauren Boebert and Senate candidate Herschel Walker who essentially believe gun rights is at the pinnacle of our Constitutional rights and everything else is secondary, including our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Jake Ness says
It wasn’t an “assault rifle,” but you are a “progressive.” You lie about everything; it’s what you and your kind do. Oh, and being a “progressive,” you are all for abortion up to the day of birth. Your posing about the lives of children is phony. When it comes to kids, you want them aborted unless you can use them as props in your sick political game.
Black Lives Matter? Not to you, rich guy. In any given year, according to the CDC’s cause of death data, for every non-Hispanic white male shot dead, 15 to 17 black males are shot dead. You couldn’t possibly care less about black people. You are rich, and have turned your back.
Go to hell, phony
Uncle sam says
hiding in the dugout and continuing to cash the checks won’t change a damn thing Gabe. you’re getting paid to teach your team how to hit, pitch and catch the ball. we don’t give a damn about your views on gun control.
Art W says
I’ve lived in SF for 25 years after growing up in Chicago but found no reason to switch allegiances from the Cubs (and Bulls). But after reading your post, and after hearing Steve Kerr’s comments, I now have a reason to trade in my hats (no disrespect to the Cubs and Bulls of course). Thank you Kap! We need to hear your sentiments from as many people as possible.
John Finnigan says
Gabe, thank you for your thought… I didn’t read any of the above, but thank you.
Jack says
Dude if you hate this country so much then give away all the money you made here and gtfo. It’s so easy for someone with endless amounts of money to bitch and moan about something they think is a problem while doing nothing but writing some dumbass blog post. Run for office you douche.
Dave says
Shut up and coach
Dino says
The comments from the right-wing nut jobs is truly amazing. First off, the government doesn’t want your guns. Period. (Though, to be clear. If the government wanted your guns, trust me, they would come and get them, and there’s nothing that your little militia’s could do about it.) Whatever gun fetish you idiots have, can keep having them. This is about a weapon of war. Call it whatever you want. I guess “assault rifle” is too difficult for some of you to grasp. Either way, weapons of war should be banned in Murica. It shouldn’t even be a debate. Secondly, Murica is the only country in the world that has these type of mass shootings, on a regular basis. Yes, on a regular basis. Why? Seriously, why? No,it’s more than mental health. It’s easy access to weapons. Full-stop.
Dino Isatwat says
You are an absolute cunt and a moron to boot. Get fucked you commie twat
Bill Davidson says
Fascistic moron.
Bill Isatwat says
Hey Bill go fuck your self to death you fucking twat retard faggot
Guero says
This carnage happens every month in Chicago. Criminals don’t care about laws. If they don’t buy them legally they will buy them illegally.
sandy koufax says
you coach a 3rd place team in the NL West. why don’t you quit trying to virtue signal all your bath house buddies in frisco and get your ass on the field and figure out how to beat the dodgers.
Anna says
Leave the U.S. you chickenshit gutless POS. My seven generations of family, from the Revolutionary War to the War on Terror represent what the country has stood for for over 270 years. You do not. I hear the weather is nice in Ukraine this time of year, go take a one way holiday.
Jim says
You’re a baseball manager, shut the f*ck up and dance for us.
Meg B says
Thank you Gabe- many of us are in agreement. Ignore the trollers. We will move forward in the right direction!
Bill Davis says
Only rich people like yourself should have access to private security. I hope your viewership falls and people stop deciding to pay your salary. You are disgracing all those who fought and died for the flag. What a fool.
Tom says
This country gave you everything you have. I am so sick of over pampered and overpaid folks like yourself who continually see themselves as permanent victims. Grow up!
monadog says
Ban lousy managers.
Gabe Dumbfucker says
Oh woe is me I’m gabe kapler and I just can’t stand this country but I’m not going to part with the millions and millions of dollars it’s given me so don’t ask but just tsk tsk these people who want guns except my security detail cuz they need them because I’m important! Fuck the plebes tho they ain’t shit!
Sammy Sosa says
F you
go play in Cuba you anti-American POS
gavin gruesome says
frisco is the softest town in the country and its infected with AIDS, homelessness and junkies. i’ll take you and kerr seriously when you put $ where your mouth is and clean up your own sh!thole of a city before lecturing us how to manage the country.
Eric Kaplan says
YOU are the coward that pretends. YOU represent the morally weak. The USA Constitution gave you everything. I am done with the MLB.
Gar says
A$$ Wipe
Fatdaddy says
If you don’t like it here and are that disgusted with YOUR country then pack your shit and LEAVE!
sharon lowart says
THANK YOU FOR BEING BRAVE ENOUGH TO WRITE SUCH A BEAUTIFUL PIECE I FEEL LIKE YOU WERE IN MY HEAD WHILE YOU WROTE THIS I TOO AM ASHAMED OF THIS COUNTRY AS IT STANDS
MonkSox says
Welcome to Biden’s Amerikkka
Tony says
Kap should donate 95% of his million dollar salary to the cause to push for change…but instead he will keep his millions and take the easy way out with some useless symbolic gesture that makes him look like a good person. Too cheap to enact real change!
Father Mike says
What do you expect form a merchant jew?
JAMESHUNT says
FATHER MIKE’S MOTHER LOVES THE JEW COCK
David Sullivan says
Sports in the US has always reflected a dramatic lifeworld (Lipsyte) in which play and politics collide; yet, for star performers to make risky political statements is not uncommon in the free agency era; for many of these stars to do so and run against political obstinance is unusual, as Kaepernick did so in 2017 while a difference in political discourse in this country. Jesse Owens, notably, did not (and, arguably, could not) in 1936. Only very rarely has management entered boldly, and with conscience, into social effects of sports as cultural artifact. Coaches (or managers) of major pro sports worldwide are management. Steve Kerr entered this cultural fray two days ago … and now, you … at the risk of your careers. You’re Coaches of Conscience who risk everything in terms of your market value for what’s just the plain and obvious good of humanity. Yours is “good” communication because it resonates with the best intent for our collective best interest.
Sylvie Groleau says
“America is a country founded on Christian values,” America is not a country. It is a continent of 35 countries with a population of 1 billion 200 millions plus people. https://andrewpegoda.com/2016/11/23/its-time-to-abolish-the-use-of-american-when-we-mean-united-statesian-hidden-power-of-words-series-26/
LoyalRam says
Ridiculous.
Gabe, your lack of understanding is breathtaking.
1. The Resource officer was NOT armed, so stop propagating that lie.
2. The 2nd Am. is about fighting tyranny and self defense, which means law abiding people may have to kill bad guys.
3. We are send 40 billion dollars to Ukraine so they can defend themselves with AUTOMATIC weapons, among other weapons.
4. Calling any SEMI-automatic weapon an assault weapon, is a loaded term without a consistent definition. Machine guns are illegal, and so EVERY legal weapon in the USA is one pull, one shot. You can’t spray bullets with a legal AR-15, for instance.
5. Admit that you never liked the 2nd Am in the first place and don’t understand the purpose of it. That would be more honest. Beyond that, your fear doesn’t trump my constitutional right to self defense. Sorry.
Dr Truth says
Oh look, another jew so stupid it doesn’t realize that blacks and black culture in America are the problem.
Other countries don’t have this issue because they don’t have the feral black subhuman Americans.
Blacks commit 53% of ALL MURDER in the USA and KILL 93% OF ALL BLACKS MURDERED.
Black music, blacks glorifying crime, black music, black movies, black gangs etc…
Howd you get so blind, himey?
JAMESHUNT says
Dr Truth’s mother loves the JEW cock
Rumford says
Starting this bullshit with the Anthem again? The BLM crap is why I canceled my MLB subscription and haven’t listened to a single game since. All you’ve managed to do, Kapler, is affirm the wisdom of that decision.
Baseball needs fans a LOT more than fans need baseball and you dumb-assed jocks can’t seem to get that through your vastly overpaid skulls. You are ENTERTAINERS, not pontificators. People pay to watch you perform, not hear your opinion.
But, since you can’t resist, how about this?
Transgenders are inherently unstable people. Let’s start there, shall we?
A Faggot says
Communist cock sucking faggot
Stick It In Your Mouth says
Kapler, the product of Brooklynite Marxian Joos, who would’ve tbought.
colin kapernick says
welcome to the club gabe…..lewinsky, kamala harris and i weren’t famous until we took a knee too…
Mike says
You, and most others on this thread are extremely ignorant to mass shootings, and fail to address the elephant in the room. First, this was a tragic event and disgusting in any way. But, while this is horrible and over 10k americans lose their lives yearly to gunshot; the majority are gang members in inner cities and you and all the other woke elites refuse to address that fact. And, on a side note, over 1.3 million people successfully defended themselves with their firearm and proper use of their 2nd Amendment Right. So, for all you clowns jumping on this bandwagon to “ban guns” you are disgusting and using the deaths of 19 little kids to further your gross agenda. Mr. Kapler, you are a disgrace of a human being, and a sad pathetic little man. ( I assume that’s your pronoun of choice)
Oh yeah Fathers in Homes and God would make this Country Great Again
Ultra-MAGA out
Icarus says
F* you, you POS. It doesn’t, nor can it, represent, everyone, at all times. But it does do a damn good job for most, most of the time. Does it represent those hospitalized by the clot shot? Killed by the vaccines? Does it represent those killed by our drone attacks against children and wedding parties? Does it represent the Asians killed in our major cities? The homeless on the streets in San Francisco? The goldman banker shot in the NY subway? Those kiiled in the NY subway just last week? Does it represent the 35 blacks shot in Chicago, just this weekend? It’s not a perfect system, but it’s the best ever devised by man. That anthem, and that flag, does represent the thousands who died defending that flag andl anthem! Just go to Andrews AFB when the next C-17 lands with 28 caskets draped by the American Flag, while they are playing THAT anthem, and spit on those caskets, YOU HYPOCRITICAL BASTARD!
P Creager says
The mishandling, incompetence of a tragic school shooting is not what America is about. This tragic shooting does not define America nor does the hyperbole and vitriol you spew define America. Yes we are free and we are still the best country in the world despite America hating idiots like you. You should have cooled your jets and your moral outrage and stood for thd national anthem. Such an act says that we are united and all are committed to ending these acts of violence If you do not think we are free then you are free to break your contract with your team and leave the United States anytime you wish. But we all know you won’t do that. This country has given you the opportunity to earn millions of dollars And yet you claim we are not free. You spoiled little athletes need your butts kicked until you get it. We don’t want politics in sports and we don’t want t hear your political opinions. we don’t care. BtwvWhere is your moral outrage when these mass shootings happen in every city in this country every night in bars night clubs theaters dance clubs, and Chicago in New York in Baltimore and New Orleans where is your moral outrage pal. Stop the moral outrage virtual signaling I just play your game.
Justanotherhuman says
I’m not so sure. There are many things that define America. Sadly, these things include the mass-casualty events which have been occuring more than once a day in 2022. We have a limited ability to make our voices heard. Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the anthem. Gabe will not stand in public for it. This is an extension of our freedom of speech. It does not impinge on your rights. It is his choice. You can always start rooting for another team. That’s also your choice.
Keith Peltzman says
Gabe. I am so proud of you and inspired by you. Thank you for speaking your heart. You can still be a patriotic American and call on our country to be better. We can still be a great and powerful country if we have fewer guns. I pray that others will have the courage to be OK with a bit more regulations around gun ownership. Mostly I applaud you for sharing your personal thoughts and exposing yourself. You are a true great American.
Schumer's Secreting Syphilitic Schwantz says
“Peltzman”? It figures. With no means to defebd yourself don’t cry when you’re “marched off to the showers” if you know what I mean.
Manatee says
I agree. A country that actively forbade those two school teachers from having the means to protect themselves and their students deserves zero respect. Its sickening. They had to sit there and wait to die at the hands of this murderer, because some leftist nutjobs don’t want them to have a firearm inside their classroom. Sure lot of good that did them.
Those ladies deserved the ability to have their lives protected with the same type of weapons you and your major league baseball players will be protected with tonight. The same guns that are available and used to protect movie stars at the oscars. But our government doesn’t provide protection to those two beautiful ladies who were teaching in that classroom, in fact, the government that flag represents actively forbids them from having the means to protect themselves and their students.
TheMonkey says
Gabe Kaplan your stunt is all about you and your hunger for attention.
Like the poster above put your money where your mouth is.
Give each family that lost a loved one this week, 10 million dollars.
You won’t thought, because you are nothing but a tight fisted liberal.
Gabe Kaplan, all talk and no action.
Speaking of charity, how do you claim as a charitable contribution each year on your return?
Hear is a guess. Zero.
Carlos Bravo says
What a complete insult! On the eve of the weekend when our nation honors those brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice!! To discredit our national anthem in this fashion?? If you feel you need to see change, do something PRODUCTIVE! Find better leaders! Contribute! Aid in a campaign! Here’s an idea, BE the leader you want to see in our nation! But to besmirch our national anthem in this fashion is just wrong!
Richard McCargar says
Why do I need to own an AR-15?
Why did Rosa Parks need to sit in the front of the bus?
In a free country, there is no requirement to show need to exercise a natural right.
The right to self-defense is a natural right.
The right to self-defense is not a right that is awarded by the state, it is a natural right that is protected by the U.S. Constitution. It is necessary to remind the overbearing totalitarians. It is not, to protect ourselves from an assault by ducks, pheasants and geese.
Before the national socialists could destroy the Jewish community, they first delegitimized them, then they disarmed, them, then they slaughtered them. Europe, and not a few Americans, learned nothing from the last 100 years.
AMERICA: #56 IN MASS SHOOTINGS
Of the 86 countries where we have identified mass public shootings, the US ranks 56th per capita in its rate of attacks and 61st in mass public shooting murder rate. Norway, Finland, Switzerland and Russia all have at least 45 percent higher rates of murder from mass public shootings than the United States. – find source for this last part on Powerline blog
Mitch says
Kapler – what isn’t representing us well is leftism/globalism. In fact, it doesn’t represent America at all. If you want to protest something, try railing against the mental illness caused by democrat party and media BS. That’s what is to blame for every single problem in this country and across the entire globe. Your vitue signaling is worthless.
ZW says
Patriotism is not a fair-weather game. Either you love the country and strive to improve it, or you pretend to care about the country only when convenient. The reason people respect the American flag is because this is a country where you, as a regular person, can fight to change that which you believe needs changing. If that is something to turn your back on, so be it, but do not pretend you love this country while doing so.
RichardPoor says
You, sir, are a rube.
RichardPoor says
You know what. I was wrong. I am the rube. Pardon me for being stupid.
Ben Dover says
Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety
Stick It In Your Mouth says
A Holocaust tattoo on your calf eh! Hey (((Kapler))) you know why SIX (6) MILLION Joos died in the Holocaust and another THIRTY (30+) PLUS MILLION died in the.pogroms under Lenin and Stalin? Because they had been DISARMED you ignorant “cultural Jew”.
AR says
I agree with you, as someone who grew up in a communist regime, that a people that is free to bear arms protects its freedom. But…. use your brain!
No one is really talking about disarming the US population or banning weapons. Well over 80% of us are talking about sensible limits that would greatly diminish the number of crazies that can easily get their hands on a military grade weapon.
Schumer's Secreting Syphilitic Schwantz says
The issue is every/any firearm can be classified as “military-grade” by the bureaucrats thus we will NOT budge on this, the AR15 and other magazine fed bolt action and semi-auto firearms stay. Go find another solution to a problem easier solved by more firearms in the hands of competent citizens like the woman in West Virginia that took down the Son of Obama attempting to commit a mass shooting the other night arrned
Larry Pritchett says
Why do we let orgs like the NRA openly buy political favor ? Why are we letting 10 million gun owners hold the other 300 million hostage ? Its a ridiculous argument when you consider that all people are asking for is common sense legislation and taking away weapons that only serve one purpose. No one is talking about taking away your .45 or your 30.06 or your 12 gauge. If a government won’t protect its people then it has failed to uphold their most important duty. We need to vote these people out and reform election donations.
Stick It In Your Mouth says
Larry Prichett,
You ain’t taking nothing, not a rifle, not a single round. And talking about “influence in politics” (and culture) why are Jews overrepresented?
Tex Taylor says
Well, perhaps men like you should have concerned yourself letting thousands of thugs burn down cities in the Summer of 2020 unpunished while you cheered them on because you shared politics, while the police watched and did nothing on account of men like you. Your feckless ilk is the best marketing for semi-automatic weaponry, along with a failed administration punishing its citizens because we didn’t vote for them.
Men like you are why people are arming yourself. And PS. Don’t talk about things you have no idea what you speak. Over a 100M adults in this country own a fireman.
Charles Boutwell Jr says
That response is SPOT ON!!!!! Well articulated!!!! They want guns gone but yet they let thugs burn down cities in the name of racism or whatever cause!!!! One day when those thugs are burning cities and you are not armed at home, they will move to your neighborhoods & burn them down because they know you can’t stop them!!! Find me a gun that can jump off a counter or out of a gun case & fire itself & I will agree to say ban guns. Lunatics kill people not guns!!! The problem is mental health & that is a democratic issue because they have made it almost impossible to institutionalize people because they don’t check off enough boxes to be admitted. The pharmaceutical industry lines the liberal pockets so they can sell the meds to medicate these people instead of putting them away. Then the meds only work if taken and that is impossible to monitor. The moment a mentally ill person feels normal they think they don’t need their meds and now you have a lunatic on the loose.
Larry Pritchett says
I am a little teapot and I like turtles. Liberals are slow like me.
Horatio says
Yeah, I don’t care what you think like ,ost Americans.
howardfinck says
I was born while my father was fighting in WWII. I became an LEO, with an hispanic girl friend, and a best friend from Belize, until he died. We were all Americans, living the dream. Reaching heights we could only imagine. I’ll always salute the flag and remember my best friends of all backgrounds, one of whom died in Vietnam (a Japanese American). All of us loved this country. I’m the only one surviving, but will pass this on to the kids and grandkids.
s young says
Thank you, Mr. Kapler. I look forward to seeing what you and the Giants will be doing to further the discussion as I think it’s time organizations started having these discussions and trying to make some change in our communities. I bet Mr. Kerr down the street would be open to partnering…
Schumer's Secreting Syphilitic Schwantz says
“Psrtnering” at a gloryhole you mean, it IS Sin Fransissyco after all.
Billy Woods says
You sir, are a national disgrace. Look forward to getting your ass booed at every stadium on future road trips.
Tex Taylor says
I would like to know when men of the MLB are going to apologize to the state of GA and more specifically the city of Atlanta for the supposed “voter suppression laws,” moving the All-Star game intended to celebrate a local black hero by the name of Hank Aaron and punishing thousands of small business owners in the local area, all under false pretenses?
The votes are in you utter, gutless cowards. Record turnout under the supposed voter suppression laws. And I don’t remember a word from Gabe Kapler protesting these lies about America not living up to her ideals.
Men like Gabe Kapler and his duplicity make me puke. If there is justice, MLB implodes from their cowardice. Spare me your sanctimony. You’re part of the problem and too profoundly ignorant to know it, Coach.
Kim says
Sir:
Why haven’t you protested all the gun-related deaths in Chicago? Children are dying there every day from shootings. And oh BTW Chicago has some of the strictest gun laws in the country. It not the guns but the evil hearts of the people using them. Also are we going to ban SUVs because the guy in Wisconsin used one to plow thru a parade and killed six people? People will use knives, cars, explosives, etc to kill. Let’s address the real cause – people either mentally ill or just plain evil. We need to look to heal the minds or repair the souls. And evil can only be eradicated. We need to address the crime issue by enforcing the laws on the books, not allow the criminal back out on the streets to do more crime.
Hugh Jaynus says
Not to mention his support by voting DEM of the murder of millions of babies out of the womb. I guess only some children matter.
Nobody You Know says
Go play your game in some other country. You are an irrelevant trained chimpanzee who entertains drunken morons.
Will Tams says
You are a true leader. We need more people like you in major league sports and—probably more urgently—in congress. Thanks for having integrity and using your position to draw the attention to gun control that this tragic event merits.
Ed says
Quote possibly the dumbest people push for gun control because they do not understand history. Push the person not the tool….. if outlawing guns worked then Chicago would be Mayberry
Tommy Lasorda says
You fit right in there.
Billy Woods says
BTW who in the hell cares what dumb jocks and rock ‘n roll stars have to say on issues of actual importance? I think Kapler should join forces with Karenick and form the Grudge League of washed up nobodies.
Underdawg says
I’m joining the NRA and adding MLB to my boycott list! I still believe in America and freedom
Jay says
This written by a hypocrite who has armed security guards to protect him at his workplace.
Joseph Smith says
We’re not even in the top 50 countries for mass shootings doofus.
Cc says
It’s malevolent narcissistic individuals driven by social media. It’s not a gun problem.
Sick of Virtue Signalers says
You know what I’m not OK with, Gabe? I’m not OK with people like you using your way overpaid position as a political sounding board. You want to protest? Fine. Do it on your own time. You have that right. A right this country affords you. I used to be a diehard MLB fan. I haven’t watched a single game since others like yourself starting disrespecting our country by kneeling during our national anthem. Since you are so dissatisfied with this country, why don’t you leave? This country is the greatest in the world because our forefathers had the commonsense to allow its citizens to defend themselves from a tyrannical government. Similar to the one we have now. It is why we have the freedoms we have today. So please. Go ahead. Pack up your bags and hit the road. We will be better off without you.
Retired Military Senior Chief says
stupid people on here don’t even know what an assault weapon is. It is not a semi auto AR 15. An assault weapon is a fully auto weapon, and that is already illegal. Why are most shootings in some of the stricest gun areas in america?chicago? calif? The prob is a heart issue, not a gun issue. Broken families, kids raised withouth their fathers. Start in the Home!!!
Tessa Dailey says
Dear Gabe,
Thank you for putting pen to paper and saying what many of us have been saying (some of us doing or trying to do – use our body language and our gestures as a form of civil disobedience and protest) over and over and over again. What you have said is spot on. The fact that you’ve acknowledged that you allowed your integrity to be compromised speaks to the true integrity you possess. Thank you for being a man of integrity and for taking what your dad taught you to heart and action.
I HOPE that enough of us will finally be heard by the leaders WE elected and that something is FINALLY done to right a wrong that has consumed to many lives already. An entire generation has grown up in fear of mass school or public place shootings. We should be ashamed of ourselves for allowing this to go in for far too long. I am. We should not have to have armed teachers and I am adamantly against that – I do not think that will prevent or make these murderous events less common. We need gun reform, comprehensive background checks, waiting periods, safety course training and certification that must be renewed every year or something acceptable towards that requirement, and proof of proper storage of guns and ammunition, and limits on how many and how much can be had. No average citizen needs to own a weapon that was created for the military for wartime use. No one needs to be allowed to go buy back to back to back weapons and hundreds if not thousands of rounds of ammunition. No ONE needs that much lethal weaponry to own, store, or use in America on CHILDREN, on people of color, grocery shoppers, on church goers, on movie watchers, on mall shoppers… ENOUGH ENOUGH ENOUGH
Thank you for your essay and thank you for protesting and demanding change.
Tessa Dailey
Kelley says
Who cares dude. Just manage your baseball team buddy. That’s what you’re paid to do. I don’t watch games for your political opinions. With that being said, when was the last time your vote or opinion mattered. It’s going to take a lot more than voting or depending on some politician to change this country. There is no voting our way out of this… TINVOWOOT!
Harry Freiberg says
YES…
FWIW: USN 1967-71, Vietnam 1968, Medevac
Andre Smith says
You absolutely have a right to kneel, or stay in the locker room. All people who have any issue with our Country should protest. BLM, against abortions, Sports deals made with China, Voting rights…..Pick whatever you feel passionate about and protest it. Half the team would remain in the locker room in “protest”. How about standing for the flag that gives you the right to be mad, to protest how you see fit and not be killed or “missing” like in some other super powers. Give up managing and run for office. You made enough as a player and a manager to fund your own campaign.
Jamar says
Have you ever disrespected our anthem by protesting the millions of babies that have been killed in our country through abortion? We all know the answer is no, so your protest has nothing to do with saving children. You have been tricked into doing the bidding for power hungry democrats who fantasize about controlling an America with no second amendment to get in the way of their destructive agenda. I pray that you and every other American realizes this truth before it’s too late.
Sylvie Groleau says
“You have been tricked into doing the bidding for power hungry democrats who fantasize about controlling an America with no second amendment to get in the way of their destructive agenda. I pray that you and every other American realizes this truth before it’s too late.” Did you ever look at any maps or globes and see what America is, it is shown as a continent of 35 countries.
Jamar says
Typical democrat. Wants to talk about anything but actual solutions. Since when do you recognize borders anyway?
Jake J says
Thanks, rich guy who has turned his back on black people. For every white man shot tom death, 16 black men are shot to death by gang bangers. You don’t give a rat’s ass about black people. You are a minstrel show phony. I’m sure the Right People approve of you.
Eugene Bonaroti says
This entire blog is the same old arguments – more gun regulation vs second amendment.
We should be looking at real solutions – of all the money Congress allocated for complete bullshit – and we can’t provide security at our schools ?
Politicians on both sides of the aisle are failing us.
Subversive Kike says
let me guess…Gabriel is Jewish. This is so scripted it’s embarrassing.
JAMESHUNT says
Subversive Kike’s mother loves JEW cock.
Dj Leroy (@DjLeroy9) says
Some of these comments are truly pitiful. The bleating of slaves. This here – Gabe – is a man at a time when manhood is rare. Gabe your essay shames us all. Our silent complicity and vocal enablement is just not acceptable any more.
Thank you.
Paul says
Gabe is a SanFran homofag. Not a man at all
Mlb says
Kaplerbis an idiot and so is MLB. Sticking with UFC. MLB has been lame for the last 20 years. Go woke go broke
Freedom Fighter says
Hey commie. Drugs are illegal and they’re everywhere. Until we address the mental issues this will never stop.
Darin R says
Gun control does not work. It’s a proven failure in many of our largest cities in the US. The often-cited city of Chicago, in 2021 had more than 1,000 homicides that were gun-related, according to the medical examiner’s office. The overwhelming majority of slayings in the city — more than 90% — were a result of gun violence. All told, there were at least 4,300 gunshot victims, in a city where guns are illegal! Yes, many of those guns were purchased in Indiana (lawfully – some of them certainly, others as straw purchases). Persons carrying guns from Indiana to Chicago to commit crimes are criminals.
Reasonable background checks are good and already on the books. Waiting periods are good and again, already on the books. Banning extended magazines is stupid, as people can just double up their total magazines – it takes seconds to switch a spent mag for a fresh one. Banning ‘assault’ rifles is stupid as any sporting rifle can do exactly the same thing.
We have a mental health problem, not a gun problem. The right to keep and bear arms shall NOT be infringed. If we are a nation of laws, there’s one.
Backroundcheckchuck says
The coaches father and mother raised a frickin sissy. Everyone regardless of their beliefs should at least profess their allegiance to the country. Common sense bipartisanship. Common sense patriotism. He did nothing but draw attention to his selfish sorry ass. That’s our primary agreement. Not standing is a rebellious unpatriotic act. This is a new phenomenon that degrades our unity. Guns don’t kill mental cases do. Shame on the the little baby..
Pp.s
I live to laugh at and listen to liberals squirm like a caterpillar in a frying pan.
John says
Leave the country now and your multi-million contract …. Goto North Korea where you have no freedom
menasionj says
A lot of valid points. Lots lot problems with our elected officials, politics and policies in this country, but….. Still can’t believe people, especially athletes getting paid millions of dollars to play a sport don’t realize the anthem is not about your stance on current affairs. It’s played to respect all the people who sacrificed and died for this country so you can literally play a game and make a living (a very very good one at that). # kaplifestyle. Come on gabe, mass shorting don’t happen in other countries?!?! Get real!! They just blow each other up with bombs or chop hands off for stealing or kill citizens for being gay or committing adultery, etc. People flood this country on record numbers, it’s not a terrible place, but unfortunately terrible things do happen. Go ahead and take a knee when they play the anthem. I’m sure that will fix the mental health problems in this country and the gun control issue.
Dino says
What are you gun-nuts going to do when they repeal the 2nd amendment? Seriously. It’s going to happen. The absurdity of the 2nd amendment will become clear and your straw-man arguments will turn to dust. You can count on it. Oh sure, you’ll be able to keep your guns, and even play war with your little militias, pretending to be John Wayne, but your time will come to an end.
PaytonGendron says
Yours will come first
JAMES HUNT says
GABE, YOU’RE A CUNT.
DO EVERYONE A FAVOR AND COMMIT SUICIDE NOW.
Scott Goodman says
What is more important than the health and well being of our children? I applaud your statement, prayers won’t change future mass murders, but a majority of people standing up and saying this has to stop and ejecting officials who have the courage to make a change in our laws regarding automatic weapons, background checks and registering guns – like automobiles.
JmjUSA says
Where are you for the children in Chicago killed? The violence in the womb by Banned Parenthood…
Stay the hell in your locke(d)r room you coward…
SF Liberal says
JMJUSA, you’re just another RW idiot. Chicago has the strict gun laws that we need nationwide to prevent Uvalde from happening again. We don’t have kids shots in Chicago like we do in Texas, which has no gun control laws.
California banned assault weapons in 2002. There has not been any mass shootings in California since then. What more evidence do you want?
CB says
He’s a Jew. His loyalties lie elsewhere.
JAMES HUNT says
YOUR MOTHER LOVES THE JEW COCK
Deer says
You’re a good guy Gabe and I appreciate that this is how you feel you can make a difference. I also appreciate that you believe this is the only country this happens in. That’s not accurate but we do give these things the most publicity. Which is actually the one thing that has been proven out in study after study to lead to more of them. Mass media coverage. But again you’re a person with a platform doing what you can. Texas is going to address this in the way they decide to and it won’t line up politically with what San Francisco would do and people need to accept that. It shouldn’t be “my solution or no solution”.
This is where I take issue though. You want to know something that REALLY doesn’t happen in any other country and actually most states in America? Name another state (or country) running a supervised drug consumption site in the main plaza of the city like the one in United Nations Plaza. Openly allowing drug dealers to sell fentanyl to people supervised by the gov. Those are people’s kids too. Parents agonize over kicking their kids out of the house to keep from enabling them to urge them to get help and SFO does the enabling instead. Or they go to the “safe sleeping site” where there are countless rapes and people pimping out addicted women for drug money. The local gov blames unaffordable housing for this. Conveniently they award all their donors contracts to help this. It doesn’t help. Dopesick people don’t need housing. They need detox and programs. Tonight there are thousands of parents across the country praying that their son or daughter lives through another night in SFO and trying not to think of what they have to do to survive there on the streets.
This is the city you represent Gabe and where you could really speak out and make a difference. But you don’t. There’s nothing brave about speaking out in San Francisco about your issues with US gun policy. Somebody who is brave would stand up against the humanitarian crisis in your own city.
Jake Ness says
Gabe Kapler doesn’t say anything about the addicts in the UN Plaza because he is one of them.
Lesko Brandon says
I like how people are trying to argue facts when it’s obvious Kapler is just preening his Woke views.
Before Uvalde, there were children being shot in Chicago. Most of them are black. They are still being shot and killed. It is not in large numbers like double digits but it is still a large number. Over 250 in a year.
Did you hear Kapler or Kerr comment even once about what is going on Chicago? Of course not. Ask yourself, why not?
John says
Every country that has gun control also has mass killings.., in Mexico it is every day mass killings… protect your freedoms
Jakeaberson. says
Funny. All the anti guns libs come out of the woodwork when school shooting takes places. It’s so so easy. Be against guns. Blame NRA. All the celebs and libs do it. But come Tuesday. Will Kapler and company say one word about shooting deaths in Chicago. Philadelphia. Baltimore. On and on. All the big lib cities where week after week day after day. One shooting death after another. Most victims black. Most shooters black. But shhhhh. Don’t talk about that. No Gabe. You take your knee for show over this and just let the inner city kill itself. I mean. People like you (born and bred by anti War activists) never address hard problems. Just stick to the easy headline grab while the people you so claim to care about kill each other in record numbers.
Longtrail says
Touche’! Bravo!
seth rich says
Lol, you never were to bright Gabe. Knew you from your Red Sox days. However when it comes to arrogance and privilege you’re right at the top. Try to keep things in perspective even as your hated for Western Civ blinds you. 99% + are not going around killing people or cowering from helping others in need. However if you listen to the lies and distortions of the media they could easily convince you otherwise. Big picture, the global maxists want to disarm Americans so the take over can be completed, pronto. Discuss among yourselves.
dman says
You worthless chicken shite. Woke tool. You aren’t brave, you are a punk.
Jeff says
Then quit you over paid self righteous a hole.
Joe says
Eff off Mr. Kotter.
Peter Griffin says
Like most mass murderers, just another anti-gop left wing nut job.
Carter Baldwin says
The AR-15 was designed for one a specific purpose: To kill humans. To kill a lot of humans at once, quickly and efficiently. Specifically, it was designed to kill humans with AK-47s before they kill you. Since the AR-15s invention in 1959, hundreds of millions of dollars in research and development, refinements and improvements have gone into making it the ultimate killing machine. Good enough for U.S. soldiers to take versions of it to combat for six decades. This is not a hunting rifle. It’s not a “sporting rifle.” It’s a machine for killing a lot of humans at once. Why are military grade weapons available to the general public? Because the NRA bribes politicians. Why don’t mass killings happen in other first world countries? Because military grade weapons are illegal for public use in Australia, Britain, Germany, Japan, China. Do you really think it’s about the 2nd Amendment? They were talking about single load muskets. back then. The issue here is modern military grade guns available to the public, period. There will always be crazy people. There will always be ways into a school for someone hell-bent on getting in. Why on earth would we want anyone but a soldier on the battlefield to have a military grade assault rifle? To hunt pigs? The Zombie apocalypse? How about mass killing of school children? Grow up America. Vote the NRA payola scoundrels that hide behind the flag and the 2nd amendment out of office. At this point, we all have blood on our hands for allowing this to happen. There’s no excuse.
Dr. Timothy J. Williams says
I don’t very many people need an AR-15, and certainly no 18-year-old with mental problems should be able to purchase one (let alone two) but your little history of this firearm is nonsense. Wew need to have a reasonable discussion about firearms in this country, but posts like yours will not help
Carter Baldwin says
you don’t think it’s reasonable to question why military grade weapons designed for combat are available to the public?
JonSEAZ says
Two types of mindsets exist in this nation, and, most likely, the world. One mindset is of slaves. The other is of free people. Slaves abrogate their beings and minds to their overlords. Free people take full responsibility for their thinking, intentions, conduct, and actions. Slaves expect their masters to rule them as a group, as all slaves are the same. Free people expect those they allow to represent them to treat them as individuals, holding them individually for their individual conduct and actions. Our society is morphing into a society of willing slaves.
Russ says
Wow, so many more millions will you have to get before you stand and honor the flag that represents all the heroes bloodshed for your sorry woke a$$? You are a privileged d*ck who, with your little narcissistic mind, needs to be in a bread line for a couple of years. You then might, but probably wouldn’t, be grateful for living in the land of opportunity. I am white guy making $44 g’s a year…yeah, you have it pretty rough buddy.
SF Liberal says
We need to do something about these mass shootings! I applaud Kapler and Kerr for using their platform to raise awareness for gun shootings and supporting gun control.
As a San Francisco liberal, I think we need to do the following:
1) Ban all guns in private hands. Only the government should have guns. This will make our country safer, like China, North Korea, or Iran, where private gun ownership is unheard of. You’re much safer in these countries.
2) Defund the Police! Because Texas didn’t defund the police, it made shootings like this more likely to happen!
3) Stop blaming people for their actions and hold the gun makers responsible. Stop complaining about the perpetrator. That’s a red herring that the RW press is focusing on. The biggest factor was the guns he had. When a cop shoots an innocent black victim, we liberals do not blame the police. We blame the guns!
4) Have transgendered bathrooms. The perpetrator was trangendered and probably felt unwelcome because of the lack of proper LGBTQ+ bathrooms
5) All schools should have mandatory “Gun Free Zone” signs. The school in Uvalde didn’t have such signs. Gun Free Zones are prohibited in Texas. A Gun Free Zone would have deterred the perpetrator from entering the school with his guns
6) We must make concrete steps to fight global warming. These types of atrocious shootings will become more common if we don’t do anything about global warming.
steven says
Wow, you’re really a leftist LOON.
So, do you support abortion? Because if you do, you are supportive of the most despicable MASS MURDER OF INNOCENTS in HISTORY.
SF Liberal says
What does abortion have anything to do with children being killed?
Fetuses aren’t children, no matter what you right wingers think so. It’s just a clump of cells.
A woman should have a right to do whatever she wants with her body, unless it’s about COVID vaccine mandates.
Michael Sniffington Esq. says
I don’t blame you. Biden is terrible let’s go Brandons!
SF Liberal says
Biden has been a great president. Compared to his illegitimate predecessor:
1) Biden ended the COVID pandemic because he came up with the vaccine. The vaccines prevented people from getting COVID and people are not getting infected from COVID anymore.
2) Biden has a better economy than Trump did. Biden is doing almost as well as Obama economically.
Unemployment is down. Income is up. People are optimistic about the future of our economy.
3) Biden promised to be a uniter and he did. He united this country by calling out the parents of school children, the Republicans, Ultra-MAGA supporters, gun owners and the vaccine hesitant people. That’s how you unite a country behind you, unlike that divisive Trump.
4) Biden has more respect in the foreign arena. Countries knew Trump was an idiot. America is back. Putin is scared of the US now, China is afraid of us now, Iran is afraid and will negotiate with us, and the Afghani Taliban are weaker now than when Trump was in office.
5) Biden is doing something about global warming. He’s raised gas prices to make gas powered cars too expensive so more people will buy electric cars. Electric cars will help global warming because they are powered by electricity, which is generated spontaneously.
6) Biden has one of the better approval ratings of recent presidents. His tailcoats are going to create a Blue Wave come November. You just watch.
George says
Take 2 ‘assault’ weapons with 8 ounces of water and call me in the morning.
Me says
Liberals(Communist) lie. You just told 6 lies. I’m just here in hopes that I can get a few people to question your lies and go find the truth.
Hab Baker III says
Sir, AFTER you have really studied American history, thoroughly, then I might give some weight to your arguments. As it now stands, congratulations on a superficial gloss of pathos used to justify your self-congratulatory virtue signaling. Go home and shut up until you can educate yourself.
Melissa Brothers says
The escalating chaos, societal and economic, has a heightening intensity that requires a strong voice (singularity) of purpose for your actions, which you are already effectively communicating. Consider harnessing the multitude of opposing opinions received here with a balanced sub-messaging strategy that continues to garner consideration for change. Your path and vision are commendable.
David Wren says
Pussy.
Anon says
Lead by example. Disarm all the security at the Stadium. Do not allow Police to patrol the stadium. Stop using taxpayers money to build sport stadiums. Tax payers money can be used for the community. You are privileged person who throws a ball around for entertainment. I am sure you live in a very nice gated home. You are far removed from reality.
SF Liberal says
If you haven’t noticed, Kapler does support Defunding the Police. Defunding the Police would have prevented this shooting from occuring.
JohnGaltShrugged says
Insufferable and sanctimonious is a terrible way to go through life. I would rather light myself on fire than return to this page.
Evgeny Schwarzkopf says
Instead of throwing a self obsessed fit, try petitioning your govt. to make schools and the children inside of schools into a hard target. Fence all the way around the school. One gate only. Well trained armed guards at the gate, preferably combat veterans. Observer 100 yards outside the wire to check out everyone approaching the one gate. Spend more on school security than on airport security.
Your hissy fit is infantile. Stop acting like a spoiled child.
SF Liberal says
Typical right wing idiot. Having armed security guards is NOT the answer! It will only contribute to the traumatization of students of color!
Remember, Steve Kerr supported banning security guards at Oakland schools. He actively campaigned against it because it was racist.
Having a security guard at the school in Uvalte would have made things worse. They should have had a big “Gun Free Zone” sign instead.
Ernest says
Didn’t work in Uvalde. Police even had body armor and were still cowards in face of mass shooter. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1179243645464248/permalink/5145377412184165/?fs=e&s=cl
Jeff Lewis says
Thank you for your activism as a public figure.
Gough Fuckyourself says
Hey chickenshit. Go F yourself.
Chris says
Where lead by satanic pedofiles, but I’d still stand for the flag.
American Girl says
To disrespect the flag & all those who died fighting for our freedom, is un-American & quite despicable.
meatball says
a godless society has problems. America is godlessness is supported and fostered by the Left.
The direction of America sits at the feet of the Democrat leaders. They are godless, immoral scum.
Steve says
So, Gabe. Just curious…..What is your stance on ABORTION? Because if you approve of killing innocents in the womb, you have no right to comment and you’re just another leftist hypocrite.
Gabe?
Frank says
Gabe is known for being a left wing extremist. He loves the idea of little kid’s blood spilled as long as it is in the womb. The mass shooting is tragic. Awful. But if Gabe and the other left wing demonic liberals had any character and moral compass they would speak out about abortion, they would speak out about the crime culture in black America destroying our cities. Instead like a puppet he recites the liberal propaganda handbook and vomits lies on a platform he doesn’t deserve.
Atom Tension says
You were born with a very specific physical skill. Good for you. If it were not for that freak twist of DNA, no one would be reading this. Immediately donate 100 percent of your salary to a charity working on this cause, or be quiet. You’re not very bright.
Dr. Timothy J. Williams says
Oh, look, a baseball manager who is not “okay” with the state of the country. I bet you’ll keep cashing those checks for U.S. dollars though, and voting for liberal politicians who support the violence of killing children in the womb.
Commies suck says
Fucking communist if you can’t stand for the anthem get the fuck out of america and the MLB no one wants your communist ass here anyways
C.J. says
Gabe, if you feel that much disdain towards the American flag, maybe you should look for a job with the blue jays.
Jeremiah says
Drunk driving kills far more people in the United States then deranged killers with a gun. And alcohol is obvious not protected by our Constitution. But you see preventing deaths is not the issue. Unarming is the goal and not for the reason you think it is rube. The first thing every totalitarian regime does is disarm its population. Our founding fathers knew this which is why they guaranteed it in our Constitution. It was specifically for an insurance policy against them, the government! A free and well armed people will not be subject to the boot of oppression. I’m sorry but you are a useful idiot. Nobody wants to see innocent people getting killed. That’s why criminals need to be locked up in prison. Make the punishment for the one’s doing the crimes unbearable. Make it a deterrent not a holiday behind bars like it is now. But you want to instead take away the rights we have fought and died to protect. Don’t tell me what kind of gun I need or don’t need. I need whatever gun is sufficient to defend my life, family and property from whomever wants to take that away weather it be a foreign or domestic foe. Weather you like it or not your government has to have a respectful fear of its people to keep them from eventually enslaving you. That is life, learn some history man. Your ignorance is on full display. The people in government pushing for this are not your friends. They do not have the best of intentions.
MyDixieWrecked says
I have never watched a sports game before but I came here just to call this stickball moron a little bitch. I would have assumed that common sense, logic and rational thought were necessary to play any “sport” but it would seem to be that this is not the case. Move to china, lil bitch.
Mike says
Now do Chicago, Baltimore, Detroit etc where mass shootings happen every weekend, you virtue signaling tool.
Kevin says
You commie piece of shit. Get on a plane to Venezuela. And stay.
Frank says
“… Every time I place my hand over my heart and remove my hat, I’m participating in a self congratulatory glorification of the ONLY country where these mass shootings take place”
And it’s the only country that has admitted through the CIA of using mind control on it’s own citizens. If you haven’t research the BLUEBIRD, the MKULTRA, and the MKSEARCH. Mass shootings are terrible, but if you remove black on black crime the death rate/crime rate by guns is dramatically lower.
Blammokapow says
Where have you been? They have been killing people in the Gun Free Zone of Chicago for a decade now. So really, where have you been? It;s easy to do something that requires no sacrifice. You dishonor all those who have served, and you at the same time turn a blind eye to the people who need it the most. See every major city in the US. You could do more, but you really don’t want to.
Maya says
Dear Gabe Kapler,
Thank you for your message and your action.
We can not continue to normalize mass shooting tragedies.
Children are growing up with routine lockdown drills. In first grade, my child’s school told her she shouldn’t wear her favorite light-up shoes, as she would be the first kid shot during an attack. She was nervous during the drills and would wiggle, making them light up. The school wouldn’t share when they were doing lockdown drills with police. My daughter stopped wearing her favorite shoes. She was scared to go to school. She was terrified anticipating another drill or attack.
We are terrifying our youth. We have to stop.
We have to ensure safety.
We need to ensure people of all ages, races, ethnicities, genders, religions, and beliefs are safe in school, stores, sporting events, concerts, clubs, churches, temples, etc.
Thank you again, Gabe Kapler.
Respectfully,
Maya
Maya says
Let me add though that I believe children aren’t “human life” when in the womb because I support abortion. I am selective with what life matters. Murdering kids in the womb is ok with me.
SF Liberal says
Well said Maya. I agree. As a liberal, I fully support the right of a woman to make choices for her body. It’s no one’s business (certainly not right wing men) whata woman does with her body, unless she refuses to take the COVID vaccine.
Jeff says
Just curious if the personal security detail for the Giant players, coaches and staff are armed? And aren’t police at the games armed? Until Gabe refuses to be protected by guns, then he needs to keep his opinion to himself.
Man Up says
Maybe you should focus on doing your own job well (i.e., filling out a line up card) before you throw President Biden under the bus.
Michelle Pell says
Thank you, Gabe Kapler. I hope that the next time, you follow your heart. I hope your team and teams around the country follow you. I hope the crowds watching these games follow you. What a powerful statement that would be to the politicians who are too afraid or to complicit to do something that most of the citizens of our country want to see. All it takes is one or two brave people. By the way, March for Our Lives, student David Hogg’s organization which arose from the Parkland shooting, is holding another national march on June 11 around the country. They would probably love to see sports figures involved with them. Here’s your chance. BTW, I am a high school teacher on a U.S. military base in South Korea. Have been overseas for 34 years doing this with military kids. We stand for the pledge every single day. We also do lockdown and lockout drills once each every single month. That should not be.
SF Liberal says
Michelle, your class wouldn’t have to do these lockdown drills if you demanded that the US military at your base in South Korea be a Gun Free Zone.
There’s no need for the US military to have military guns like AR-15s.
David Brumfield II says
Why is it athlete and coaches in pro sports, who are well to do, are playing their dream think that making political statements is a good thing? This is purely political, and it is terrible to turn a horrible event into a political statement. Why not boycott the whole game, every game? Give up your paycheck, along with all the players, and donate that money to families who lost children? I think you should stick to playing baseball and stay out of politics.
Erik says
You are a fucking disgrace. I can’t wait till the day professional sports in America collapse bc of liberal cunts like you. You think you’re making a statement for change by disrespecting our flag, when in reality you’re doing more harm than good. Here’s to hoping for a 2nd CW in America, you pussies have no clue the sleeping giant you’re awakening. FAFO liberal cunts. 🇺🇸
John Jefferson says
Shall not be infringed. Putz!
Vicki says
Thank you, Gabe!
Jeff Krisa says
Cool … u can focus on social justice but not coaching. Can’t remember when a Giants manager brought in a ineligible pitcher. Kinda like when you went to bullpen with no one warming up. Just got waxed by the worst team in NL. We deserve better …
casey piotrowski says
Gabe, met you years and years ago while you were still in the minor leagues…and you came off as a self-devoted jerk. Obviously, you have grown up and found a bigger heart and more wisdom along the way. I respect you and support you. I live in LA…but ‘Go Giants’. God bless you for your courage.
DamnTacos says
Wouldn’t true bravery be supporting the constitutional right for ALL Americans to protect themselves despite this rash of horrendous mass shootings? Your implication is that the courageous position would be to relinquish your rights and then proceed to rely on the government to protect you. You are willing to sacrifice, not only your own rights and freedoms, but wish to mandate that everyone else does the same for the illusion of safety…from one’s government, run of the mill criminals, and future mass shooters.
Just because you are more scared of a potential shooter than say, skyrocketing crime or rogue government, doesn’t mean that everyone else shares your fear OR perspective, and I would posit that it is much more cowardly for you to demand that Americans sacrifice their constitutionally guaranteed ability to defend themselves so you can have the illusion of safety…especially when you attempt to bolster your argument with strawman fallacies and demonstrably false and inaccurate information.
There are millions of us who feel, as the founding fathers did, that being an armed society is the ultimate bulwark against tyranny. We know that totalitarian regimes and dictators have the potential to dwarf the carnage perpetrated by mass shooters. Genocide is real, and there are over 100 million dead in the last century to attest to that.
So forgive us if we don’t agree to give up our weapons (and potentially everything else) to appease your heartbreak or your longing for a sense of security. We are all outraged and heartbroken at the all-to-often Mass shooting tragedies and the cultural rot that nourishes them, but we refuse to trade in the backbone of a free people in a misguided attempt to curtail these problems.
Yes, something has to be done. But the sooner your side stops pushing a proposed fix that will force us all into helplessness, the sooner we can try to come together and fix this problem.
Trying and pushing to take our guns actually just creates another (really big) problem and undermines the social contract this society was built upon. Millions of us are willing to fight and die to preserve our constitutionally guaranteed liberties.
Sylvie Groleau says
“that Americans sacrifice” you mean “the United States’ sacrifice”, surely enough.
Thomas Madigan says
Fuck you
Jerry Hermes says
You are absolutely incorrect in your assertion that the US is the only nation in which these type of shootings take place nowadays. If you actually kept up on current events worldwide you would know this. But you are simply another woke leftist with a big stage from which to pontificate. You start with your beliefs and then work backwards from there picking up only fraction of the total facts to justify them. Or you just make shit up, like the assertion that this happens nowhere else.
Scott says
Thanks for your leadership Gabe. Proud to have you on the Giants.
John Follett says
Thank you, Gabe, for using your platform to call it like it is. We have become desensitized to school shootings in this country and that says it all. My daughter is 11 and told me that she is now afraid to go to school. That fear is bred from a combination of evil scumbags, careless gun laws, incompetent police, and politicians that are merely puppets for corporations with deep pockets.
The Uvalde tragedy needs to be enough. We need to not forget about this as the time passes and go back about our business. The masses need to care; not just those who are personally affected. We need those responsible gun owners to focus on the true intent of the 2nd Amendment and acknowledge the Constitution for the living and breathing document it is supposed to be.
The pro 2A crowd can deflect to mental health and unlocked doors excuses all they want. At the end of the day, these tragedies keep happening. That tells us something is broken and needs to be corrected. No one person’s gun collection is worth the life of a 4th grader. Those kids deserved their lives and we let them down.
It is time for REAL change. Be afraid NRA…we’re coming.
Shifty Shiff's Standard Hotel Sheet Changer says
“…. we’re coming”? Threatening law-abiding gun owners eh? Real smart move, you know the majority of us are armed right? Come on down you and those like you are auditioning to be the next contestant on “You Bet Your Life”.
Martin Ingber says
My sincere respect and admiration to Gabe Kapler and the SF Giants for speaking out and taking this stand. The epidemic of gun violence in our country is an intolerable disgrace that demands action; and every one of us should stand up and speak out against it. America cannot be the land of the free as long as innocent children are being slaughtered in their schools, shoppers shot in neighborhood stores, or citizens attacked at religious services.
I applaud your action, and thank you for the public position you have taken; because this deadly plague of gun violence and death must end now!
Richard says
I am ahamed of my country. That we would let something like the wanton murder of 19 elementary schoolchildren happen is awful enough. That this was second time it happened; that the circumstances of each crime were so very similar is a damning thing. Thanks, Mr. Kapler for being an American first and a Baseball Man second.
SF Liberal says
Richard, this is not the 2nd time this has happened. It’s happened plenty of times. We need to pass sensible gun control laws like we did in California or in places like New York, Chicago, or Philadelphia.
If you noticed, we have not had a mass shooting in California ever since we passed gun control laws. And we don’t have children being shot and killed in places like Chicago, NY City, Detroit, or Philadelphia. That’s because they have gun control laws. Kapler’s team plays in San Francisco, which has restrictive gun control laws. The laws work. No one gets shot and killed in SF.
We need to do something!
TMJ says
This chit happens under Democrats because ALL of the tragedy queens and violent psychos KNOW they can get away with it under the Commie-Crat lawless regime
Doug Sterling says
It is a fact that there has never been a shooting attack at a school in which the teachers are allowed to choose, with appropriate training, to be armed. Bad guys look for soft targets with helpless victims, and so-called gun-free zones give them both. In a gun-free zone, the bad guy is the only one with a gun.
Noah says
94% of mass shootings occur in gun free zones.
P Smith says
Would you call to ban gasoline if this creep would have used molitov cocktails? Would you have called for the banning of baseball bats if he had killed with that…you are blaming the instrument rather than the evil person.
Johnny Waza says
Peace be with you, Gabe. I have a heavy heart and appreciate your words and moral dilemma.
I told God last night that we need him. I then thought for a moment and rephrased my demand to a query: what does He need me to do?
Your fortunate because it seems you have found your purpose -to reflect during the national anthem rather than participate in it with the glory and honor it deserves.
I hope this helps you find peace as it is gently helping me stay focused on my own journey for what it is I need to do.
The Star Spangled Banner has this lyric
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
The simplicity in our flag still being there – through revolution(s), institutions of injustice, hot and cold wars, great depressions and recessions, inflation, plagues, terrorism, and endless shootings and the killing of life so innocent.
Cry, yell, boycott, protest, and demand a more perfect union.
Just know that through every tragedy, every sickening moment in history, our flag, our nation, our individual being have always remained and we are will be still here.
SF Liberal says
I’m astounded but not surprised by the logic of these RW gun rights zealots who claim that more gun laws have not stopped mass shootings. If current gun control laws didn’t work, then isn’t it obvious that we need to pass more gun laws? If taking just 2 shots + a booster of the COVID vaccine didn’t work, then doesn’t that show that we need to take a 2nd, 3rd or 4th booster shot?
TMJ says
Anytime I see a moonbat “Lib” (Commie) from SF replying on blogs with phony indignation… I think about all of the stores being shut down because of the thieves being allowed to steal.
I think of the human feces patrols.
The homeless living all over the city.
After that, I just dismiss you morons because you know about as much regarding guns as you do controlling your own thieves, homeless and human dungers.
Cuckoo.
SF Liberal says
TMJ, you’re a typical uninformed, uneducated, stupid, “Ultra-MAGA” idiot.
We don’t prosecute petty crimes against property because that leads to the criminalization of people of color. These businesses can afford some losses from theft. These people of color cannot afford to be imprisoned because it ruins their lives forever.
And we have actively Defunded the police so that people don’t feel threatened. That has helped reduce our violent crime rates. We don’t even welcome LGBTQ+ police officers in our Gay Pride Parade anymore. That’s how strongly we believe in Defunding the Police.
And we have strict but sensible gun control laws. That’s why we don’t have people being shot and killed in my beloved city.
Deplorables like you are unwelcome in my city. Stay over in your hickville.
Joe Arlinghaus says
This is nonsense. The nation is all of us and all who came before us. It’s not the politicians. America is an idea and principles that bless us all and that we all owe our allegiance to. Otherwise, go away from it and give back those gifts.
Mark says
Kapler is no doubt a Marxist who can afford security and doesn’t respect the rights of other Americans to defend themselves. It’s time to boycott the MLB. Obama threatened schools they would lose federal funding if they reported minorities and other “special” groups to police committing even violent crimes. Salvador Ramos, one of Obama’s anchor babies of illegal aliens, like his mother a drug addict, who dumped her violent abusive sin on his abuela, his grandmother who he killed (shot her in the head) before going to the school. Ramos never would have been able to buy a gun if he had been reported to police, and had a record but Obama ensured thugs like him knew they could get away with anything.
Charles Boutwell Jr says
To all that agree you should be shamed because you can protest in other ways than not standing to honor our flag & military who fought to give your these freedoms.
Now I will talk about guns and what the problem really is. I have never seen a gun jump off a counter or out of a gun case & shoot or kill anyone!!!! The problem are the people. Many of you want to take away guns which is a moron idea because criminals will always get & have guns. There are too many guns here for that idea to fix the problem. You take away guns from innocent people and now leave them vulnerable to criminals. Next for your national registry people. That is a joke because the reason we do not want that is because it is a way for liberals now to pass a law that bans guns and now they have a list in their hands to come & seize our guns. Next for those of you that say an AR-15 is a military weapon, you are a fool. An AR-15, AR stands for Armalite Rifle not Assault Rifle like so many have been lead to believe. An AR-15 is a SEMI-AUTO gun just like most pistols. I can shoot faster with my pistols than I can with my AR’s and I can conceal it so nobody knows I have it, so what it more dangerous???? The most dangerous legal guns would be a shotgun made by KEL-TEC KSG-25 that holds 20 3” rounds or 24 2-3/4” rounds. I could do a whole lot more damage with a 20 or 24 round shotgun than I could with an AR-15 because of the bullet spread, so why don’t you hear about this gun. Lastly the real problem is mental health & lack of keep guns out of their hands. The last 2 shootings were by people with records of Mental Health issues. Democrats have made it TOO hard to institutionalize people that need to be housed in mental institutions. Psychiatrists will tell you that because of liberal laws these individuals do not check off enough boxes to be put away. Pharma runs DC, and fill their pockets to medicate. Meds work only if taken.
Amy says
People kill people with cars, knives, airplanes(2001) I guess we need to get rid of those .
Brandon is deranged says
ONLY reason that all the kids in that school weren’t killed is because of a privately owned firearm and the hero holding it. The armed meter maids were busy eating donuts while that hero took out that piece of shit liberal. Only a fucking woke twat like you would give up the right to defend himself. You’re a one brain cell liberal piece of shit. Go get another booster bitch
Baseball transgender like you says
Over 10,000 people died last year in drunk driving crashes. Where’s the outrage bitch? Where’s your cry to ban cars? You fucking knuckle dragger… LETS GO BRANDON
anony473 says
Gabe, as we know, children growing up in a stable environment at home is key for growth, maturity, and assuming a responsible role in life. The root cause of this tragedy is about a very troubled young man that apparently had an unstable home life, his father is not in the picture, his mother has substance abuse problems, and who knows what else. Plus there are many distractions and temptations in today’s world and some young people make bad choices to escape their challenges and depression and may act out in a violent manner in desperation.
Our society and politicians need to focus more on the importance of a stable family environment for children growing up, supporting each other. Helping children and young adults build moral character and responsible decision making is key so they contribute positively in society. My opinion is our country has lost some of this focus and spirituality over last two generations. Unfortunately, over the last two generations our society has cultivated materialism, excesses, and a disposable dimension to our way of life which includes discarding of unwanted life and that has permeated our culture. This has debased the value of life in our society. That must be reversed.
Gabr says
Fucking ass clown. U have to hate being u. Always blaming someone else. It’s not the gun u idiot it’s the moron who has no father or family structure.
Never see u whining about what happens
Every weekend In Chicago NY Baltimore Philly u get the picture. Liberal cities run by your ilk. Hell outta here.
TMJ says
Hows the gun control working in Chicago, Gabbie?
DC says
Uvalde is a horrible tragedy that could have been prevented. But not by banning the very tool that saves lives from evil individuals like the shooters there and in Buffalo. Since I was the age of those children in Uvalde I’ve watched gun law upon gun law enacted in every city in the country. Yet every year the crime and murder rate climbs higher.
If you ban the firearms individuals use to defend themselves not much will change. If you go after the violent individuals and circumstances that create that evil, that WILL save lives. Will it be more difficult? Yes. But it will
ultimately be more successful and save way more lives.
Marie Randall says
Find a solution instead of politicizing.
Let me know when you once again stand for our national anthem. Until then I will not be watching Giants baseball.
Carlos says
So much respect for what u just posted. Not a lot sports figures are brave enough to say what u just said. The usual thoughts and prayers are not cutting it. We as a society should do what’s right. You should definitely be able protect your family and yourself, but owning automatic rifles is just plain ridiculous. Can we agree to start off small as soon as possible… mandatory background checks, be 21 or older to purchase and ammunition limits. Most people with common sense can agree with this logic. These politicians that side with the NRA are cowards and a disgrace to society. I cannot stomach another school or racist attack on innocent people.
FYI… I am a Yankee fan, but you won me over with your stance. Thank you.
Charles Boutwell Jr says
Another uneducated on guns comment. Why is a sports figure so important. He makes millions to do nothing. Your automatic rifle comment is idiotic. An AR-15 is not an auto rifle. Very few Americans own an automatic weapon. I can do more damage with a 12 gauge Kel-Tec that hold 20-24 shells depending on shell length than I can with an AR-15. Why don’t I hear banning shotguns, because people think AR means Assault Rifle which it does not. It means Armalite Rifle. It is a semi-auto just like most hand guns and I can shoot a handgun faster. Guns don’t jump off counter tops & shoot people. People pull the trigger!!! The mentally ill need to be taken care of, that is the problem, they are not being taken care of. They medicare them to fill their pockets with pharma $$$ instead of institutionalizing them. Meds only work if prescribed & taken correctly. When our guns are gone & BLM decides to burn your neighborhood i stead of cities, what will you do unarmed?????
Charles Boutwell Jr says
To you ALL that agree with Gabe, their are one way airline tickets on sale 24/7 for you to purchase. If it is so bad GTFO!!!!! It is funny that America is so bad but yet millions are at the border crossings coming here but yet None of YOU THAT ARE COMPLAINING are leaving this supposed terrible place!!!!!
Carlos says
I can assume by your angry writing you have guns. Please be clear I said you can have guns to hunt and to protect yourself and your family but make it harder to purchase them. So again why the need for military style guns?!? And why this obsession to GTFO of my country. I’m trying to make it better, I’m tired of seeing people die. And yes mental health issues are a reason for some of these events, but guess what…people with mental health issues have seen these events happen already and said to themselves… ” I can purchase a gun really easy and do what they just did”.
So please spare me the BLM is coming to burn us down, how am I gonna protect myself ideology that you probably saw at FOX news brain washing segments. THATS NOT HAPPENING. And again this get out if you don’t like it suggestion, your probably right… I can try to do that but before I do I might actually get gunned down before I can purchase my ticket. So there’s that.
Pete rose says
I see your leadership resulted in a loss to the lowly reds. Get your ass on the field and show some respect for the country that allowed you to become wealthy beyond your ancestors wildest dreams. Grow a pair karen
Ralph F says
You are free to leave. How about China? No guns allowed there.
SL in TX says
“If the police don’t arrive and save us from violence, how can this event support the argument for restricting guns? This is the very situation that makes the most responsible people want to own guns. It reminds me of the summer of 2020, when there were riots, and the police stood down.”
Selling My Season Tickets says
You disgust me. You didn’t want to call attention to yourself on the field so you waited until you got home to bring attention to yourself on your blog? Do you feel better now after properly virtue signalling to all others that you are a bona fide card carrying Social Justice Warrior?
America is a country founded on Christian values, hard work and a fervent desire to leave our nation better off than when we found it. The problems you outline are complex, but disrespecting veterans who gave their life or their limbs to guarantee the freedoms that we all both cherish is only something that a simpleton who never served in the military would do, and does nothing to solve the problem, except make you feel good inside and draws attention to your actions.
You want to solve the problem of police standing by doing nothing but complaining, protesting. Protesters are not leaders, they are TOOLS used by more crafty leaders to create propaganda, sway public opinion and bend the will of weak-minded government officials to buy into their narrative.
Lets require all law enforcement officers to be personally bonded and insured. LEOs all get health insurance and life insurance paid for by the public in case they get injured or killed on the job. Give all LEOs raises but require them to individually purchase liability insurance to pay damages when they make mistakes. Then when LEOs make a false arrest or fails to take action to protect the public allow them to be personally sued. If they are bad cops their insurance would go up and their take-home pay would go down and eventually their insurance would become too expensive and they would have to look for a new line of work.
Like you, every single one of those police officers should be fired. They for being wussies, being too scared to go in and kill that sick kid and for using their badges to arrest mothers and fathers outside that wanted to take matters into their own hands. They had to wait for keys? Multiple shotguns aimed at a lock usually makes a pretty good key.
Those worthless cops have demonstrated that ALL people should be freely carry guns, because when you need a cop they stand outside and are too scared to do their f-ing job. Disgraceful. The families of those children should be allowed to personally sue each one of them, especially their leaders along with every single officer who put a parent in cuffs and financially ruin all of them for life.
You should be fired for trying to bring attention to yourself, for not offering ANY viable solutions and just trying to leach off the terrible pain and suffering of others. Unconscionable. You are an overpaid stupid jock. Protesting doesn’t make you a leader, quitting your cushy job, going into public service inside the government and putting in long hard hours to make our government better would be leadership. You should just shut up and do your job.
Charles Boutwell Jr says
WELL SAID!!! Damn I wish I could meet you & talk!!!! You hit the nail dead center & drove it down with one swing, SOMETHING A LIBERAL could never do!!!!
SV says
Ahhh…another virtue signaling clown. Didn’t say a peep when our children were masked up and locked down and were out of school for 2 years! Nothing about the skyrocketing teen suicides due to these draconian measures! You people are all sick, mental midgets that don’t give a shit about children!
US ARMY says
No county is perfect. But you are free to leave at any time if you don’t like mine. Maybe if you stood to defend it like I did, your opinion might matter on some level. Get your coconut oil out and shut your mouth, you moronic little punk.
Paul Westmorland says
Gabe… next time you feel compelled to sit out the anthem of the greatest country on Earth, please remember that it was THIS country, created & defended by REAL MEN who carried GUNS and spilled their BLOOD that allowed you to make MILLIONS BY PLAYING A CHILD’S GAME.
Your actions are as misguided as they are pointless. But more than anything, they are SELECTIVE. Did you sit out the anthem when hundreds were shot during the antifa/BLM riots?? How about when dozens were killed from an SUV driving through a parade in Wisconsin? How about when a leftist loony tune shot up congressfolk and senators playing softball in DC? How about when the Boston Marathon was bombed — the city where you actually lived & played for a while — did you protest then? Did ANY of these situations cause you to turn your back on the anthem? No, I didn’t think so. They don’t fit your politics. Not to mention you were just a below average player, trying to keep his head down and not stir things up so you could try and keep a gig.
Needless to say, you can freely espouse your convoluted ideology, but be mindful that it’s also OUR right to protest you and the rest of MLB that let’s you spout off. Nobody has to listen to you or agree with you. Your choice is to sit out the anthem, and my choice is to sit out of any future ballgames or monies spent on your product. If enough others do the same, you may find your millions in jeopardy.
So next time you want to pull some ridiculous, pointless stunt, consider taking lubing up for more nudie pics in your ridiculous banana hammock instead, you asinine dolt.
Charles Boutwell Jr says
You are my brother!!!! AMERICAN BROTHERS!!!! These people ha e NO CLUE what not having freedom is like. Go to China or North Korea & not stand or salute and see what happens to your butt!!!!!! Kapler is not a freedom warrior like he is pretending, he is a rich spoiled BIGOT!!!! Everything is UNFAIR but yet he is making millions as a “BASEBALL COACH” coach and did as a player!!! You want to talk unfair, his salary for what he does compared to our salaries for the work work we provide is UNFAIR!!!! I inspect pipelines that supply gas to 11 million people. I think my job has a hell of a lot more important than his. I do my job wrong pipelines blow up & kill, he screws up in his job there is no consequence!!!!!! Damn millions of dollars coach complaining about EQUALITY!!!! Get lost Gabe Kapler!!!!
Anon says
A majority of gun-related death studies do not control for suicide, leading to data misrepresentation.
If you take this FBI table and adjust it by population there isn’t any correlation between gun murders and gun ownership per state (https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2019/crime-in-the-u.s.-2019/topic-pages/tables/table-20).
For example, take Montana (which experiences the highest “gun violence”, a term that includes both suicides and homicides) and California. The Montana population is 1,093,117 and the California Population is 39,664,128. According to FBI Table 20, Montana had 16 total firearm murders. California had 1,142 total firearm murders.
So when we control for suicide and only focus on murders:
Montana: 16 / 1,093,117 = 0.00146%
California: 1,142 / 39,664,128 = 0.00288%
California has double the murder percentage despite stricter gun laws than Montana.
Ansel Lennon (@AnselLennon) says
Hi disgraceful human being. Research how many mass murderers we’re on prescribed pyhcotropic drugs. Nah, you won’t… Big pharma will pull their ad dollars…
Chris says
He probably couldn’t get up anyway, too much blow and parmesan cheese. Didn’t see u complain about lockdowns or the fentanyl crisis. Probably too busy putting up ukraine,blm,whatever the current thing is signs on ur facebook page.
bfle (@bfle12) says
Mass killings in Chicago every weekend. Strong gun control doesn’t work. He could have done the same damage using a machete. Sports people think they know it all. You play a childrens game. Go ahead and act like a baby. Nobody cares.
Rob says
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LOp5bVB2cJk
You stand for these men you worthless piece of steroid shit.
Rick says
Any POS sports person who kneels or avoids our National Anthem should never show their face on that field again.
Here on Memorial Day Weekend it is a disgrace to those who served and we lost.
ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL!
Loyd H Smith says
you are a peace of shit. leave this country we don’t have room for shit like you, some country would not be so easy on your sorry stink ass
Josh Beard says
Actually those who take a knee are the cowards. Those who virtue signal and think they are good people because they stand for the current thing or for being obedient are cowards. Those who think gun control laws make us safer and want more gun laws are cowards. Those who want to take guns away from law abiding citizens are cowards. Those who blindly believe the media and politicians about their gun control agenda are cowards. It’s not about safety it’s about control.
Our founding father did everything to protect the right to bear arms. Every nation that disarmed their people became subjects and serfs to their government. We must learn from the mistakes of other nations and not keep going down the path of tyranny. We must be rational and discerning in moments like these. Stop taking the easy out and asking your leaders (aka your rulers) to be your hero or savior. If not careful they will become your enslaver. What happened in Texas is not a gun issue. It is much more and bigger than that. In short it’s a spiritual issue.
Al O says
Move to another country, easy peasy
Mark Barlow says
To fix our government, we have to stop voting for Establishment candidates. No Democrat. No Republican. A Citizen.
crick says
heartbreaking dude you’re ruining baseball
Victoria F Howerton says
You called out the cowardice of the police and the typical desire of the administrative state to prevent parents from protecting their own children. But your solution should be a call to ban violent video games. To stop handing out psychotropic drugs to kids which all have black box labels for suicidal/homicidal thoughts.You should call for all schools to have armed veterans to protect them. You should call for an end to masks. But instead you call for more cowardice.
Noah B says
Instead of playing a game with a ball and a stick, you could have chosen to be a police officer and given people an example of brave leadership unlike the cowards in Uvalde. Or you could have chosen to be an armed sheepdog citizen who remains constantly vigilant. Instead you chose just to be another blowhard moron willing to sacrifice our liberty and security to the very people who failed to protect us last time. Get a clue already.
Mike Jefferson says
What a pu$$y. Give up your multi-million $ contract to play a game and do something about the issues you whine about. Better yet, move to Cuba or China , your kind of paradises where mass shootings come only at the hands of totalitarian governments.
Hillary says
Sigh, another dumb jock narcissistic who thinks his opinion matters.
Shall not be infringed woketard.
History is filled with useful idiots like yourself.
Unfortunately because your ignorant opinion is shared by more woke media morons your voice will be magnified.
I’m lodging my own protest.
I’ll be boycotting your advertisers.
Crazy Yoda (@JustStand2020) says
He is so brave that will show them criminals to not kill innocent children! Gun Bans? YESSSSS! The criminals will just fold up in fear from new bans!! WERE SAVED! More Gun Laws? YESSSSS! Cause you know the person that slaughtered 19 kids like sheep would have dropped his weapon right at the school when he saw it was gun free zone based new laws!!
Mozart says
You, Kapler, ARE NOT REPRESENTING AMERICA WELL RIGHT NOW, EITHER, YOU MTHRFKR!
RealmanPwns says
You are a scumbag. That’s all.
Wei says
What have you done for this country besides managing a bunch of grown men playing a child’s game? What have you done for your city where the streets are full of human feces and homeless drug addicts? Nothing!
Mark St-John says
Thank you Gabe Kapler for your courageous act of telling the Truth. Because of sports and your position, your words have gained national media exposure and that’s wonderful. The onslaught of hateful responses, knee-jerk talking points and willful ignorance exhibited here in comments only serve to support your assessment of the current deteriorating moral conditions in our country, also raising the question further of how to restore civility to American society.
The paralyzing stranglehold maintained by ONE private institution, the NRA, on our supposedly democratic republic, all for the sake of profit; all maintained by lies and brainwashing; all empowered by fear mongering and name calling is not much different from what we see today going on in Russia.
The First Amendment is first for a reason.
Its exercise will do more to save us than all the guns in the world. And we need saving!
NeverTrustTheGovernment says
If you let go of the Second Amendment, you will have no way to defend the First Amendment. The NRA is only one organization that represents only a small portion of the millions upon millions of Americans who understand that the Second Amendment is not about hunting. The Second Amendment guarantees the government will not restrict or infringe on the individual person’s natural born right to defend himself against tyranny. “The right to self defense is the first law of nature.” The beauty of the Second Amendment is that we don’t need it until they try to take it away.
Bill says
Why the hyperbole, or do you just not think much: “…ONLY country where these mass shootings take place.” Ugh, how about Norway – remember the mass shooting there, or New Zealand? Your ignorance of root causes – like the systematic removal of God and morality in our institutions is more likely a root cause than the instrument – guns. And if you believe making guns illegal would stop the problem you should examine gun laws in Mexico, seems the cartels have no problem ignoring them. Wake up – its the mentally ill young men – fix them and you will be farther ahead in fixing this problem than banning guns.
Joe Biden says
Play the game and keep your ideologies out of it. No one wants to hear what you have to virtue signal. Stand for the anthem and keep getting fat checks. Stfu you clown
NoMoreProfessionalSports says
American professional sports leagues such as MLB, NFL, and NBA do not represent the spirit or fullest and best intent of America, its Charters of Freedom, or the progress it has made. So, I have ditched American professional sports. Besides, why should these men and women (and the ones who can’t figure out what they are) receive millions and millions and millions of dollars to chase a ball around a field when we have so many other social ills?
Brandon says
Gabe, you said, “the ONLY country where these mass shootings take place”
That’s not true at all.
The top 10 biggest school massacers of all time took place in other nations https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_school_massacres_by_death_toll Ironically enough, the largest one in the US was with dynamite, not a gun.
You didn’t research that yourself, you just heard people on TV tell you that.
You said, “We aren’t free when politicians decide that the lobbyist and gun industries are more important than our children’s freedom”
That’s not true either. Have you looked at the amount of money that “lobbys” for guns compared to other interests?
We have firearms as it’s our right. How about you look into all the mental ill people in this nation. Do you realize at least half of all adults are on prescription drugs? https://www.webmd.com/drug-medication/news/20170803/americans-taking-more-prescription-drugs-than-ever-survey People are on so many meds, you are drinking it in the water in SF.
You probably didn’t think about that, as the media is not talking about it. Back in the 60s, all the guys had rifles in their unlocked pickups, at high school. We didn’t have shootings like this then. We have a society problem, not a gun problem. What changed in our society in the last 30 years?
Dan Meier says
Really bad call dude, politicizing and exploiting a mentally ill person and the tradegy he created, not guns, him, he created the tradegy. His family, his community, and his own lack of intelligence and will did this…. Baseball used to be an American pastime, now its just a sick political hack job.
Diane says
Thank you Mr. Kapler.
Jro says
Gabe,
We are not free? Lol, you’re delusional. What you want is anarchy. Maybe you should move and live in one of those countries in Central America where their populous are risking their lives to come to this “not free” Country..maybe only then you would understand how ridiculous your claim is.
Unknown Soldier says
I think the timing of this with Memorial was extremely bad judgment and is a slap in the face of those of us who have served and lost our fellow soldiers in the line of duty
john says
If the police don’t arrive and save us from violence, how can this event support the argument for restricting guns? This is the very situation that makes the most responsible people want to own guns. It reminds me of the summer of 2020, when there were riots, and the police stood down.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/05/27/us/texas-school-shooting/a-border-patrol-tactical-team-was-ordered-to-hold-back-before-confronting-the-gunman?smid=url-share
Mark says
go fuck yourself to death with a broomhandle wrapped in sandpape
Razor says
Fkng democrat p.o.s. GTFO and go live in communist North Korea for a while and tell me how much you hate the US after a year there living as a pauper like the rest of the subjects there. I am so sick of you rich a**holes disrespecting our country. I’m sure this will be remembered by someone when the SHTF and your senile ‘commander and thief’ is making sure that’s coming soon.
BiggerTruth says
You have a fundamental confusion about the purpose of govt. It is not to protect our interests, it is to defend our constitutional republic and the rights and freedoms it alone was designed to protect.
Only a deeply self centered people wants govt to protect their interests, and the inevitable result through all of history is bickering over whose interests are more important than whose is tyrants take over and liberty is lost.
The cause of the shootings is not guns. It is mental illness caused by this obsession with self interest. You are fuelling the cause, not helping.
Gilbert Satchell says
Thank you Sir. I hear an echo loud and clear,
Russ Meehan says
There is a sickness, a cancer in our society that needs to be addressed. However, by focusing the attention on guns, the root causes, that which produces the cancer, feeds it, allows it to grow and spread, is ignored.
Morris Odat says
The AR-15 is perfect for shooting wild pigs. We have a big problem with wild pigs in the bay area. Ask any local farmer in the Santa Cruz mouintains…or San Benito and Santa Clara counties. AR-15 is a great hunting rifle. Just add a scope.
Dan H says
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Much respect.
Joel Foote says
Gabe,
Thank you for this thoughtful post. I agree wholeheartedly with you and admire you for standing up for what is right.
Benjamin Fields says
I agree with Gabe. I support the Giants more now because he is taking a stand.
Adine says
Thank you for this bold and necessary statement. We need to all take a stand in whatever way we can and invoke change!
Kenneth says
So if you don’t like the direction of the world, you will stop saying the Lords prayer until God fix’s the world.
Someone ask this fool what country is better than the USA?
The old saying…”America love it or leave it.”
BYE
Joe Alger says
God Bless your compassion, I’d love your comments on your feelings toward almost 1 million babies being killed by abortion in America every year, how about not taking the field until that is rectified?
Noel Field says
” Uvalde Proves We Can’t Keep Outsourcing Our Kids’ Safety To A Cowardly Bureaucracy”
Lisa says
How about speaking loud and clear about the mental health crisis amongst our most vulnerable, the young people of this country? Or the complete “breakdown” of the family in this country? Those that are struggling mentally WILL find a weapon regardless of laws or bans on said weapons. Why are you not advocating for truly getting to the root of these problems?
Ultra MAGA says
Gave, the problem is mental illness not guns. The weapon of choice here is guns but the criminal mind is mentally I’ll. The pro lem with all of these mass shootings are the perps use of SSRI anti depressants. Also, a lack of a stable homelife or nuclear family.
Ponder this Gabe, our society provides armed guards for our courtrooms, banks and politicians but offers no protection for our children. Why is that?
Additionally, as a tragedy Uvalde was, there are hundreds of shootings per week in mostly strict or tight gun control regulated states which proves that more gun laws don’t work. In fact if you carve out those strict gun control law states from the crime statistics, our country is much safer. But getting back to the point there is no outrage when there is inner city black on black gun deaths which is a daily occurrence in big cities like nyc, la, Baltimore, Detroit. Bit this school shooting is all over the news. Why selectively cover on set of deaths over the other? It seems there is a political motive in reporting news this way.
Lastly Gabe, guns serve as a balance of power to total government control. Many examples in recent history exist . The Warsaw Ghetto uprising from WW2 is an interesting take on why people should own guns and not rely on the government for protection as the government can be overrun by outside forces and turn on the people.
Sorry to hear that you went woke. America is the best place to live.
George Garner says
MAGA, there is so much wrong with your thinking, that I have to question your mental state – at least your ability to see the complexity in real life situations. I really don’t have time to address your rant item by item, suffice it to say that your need to own weapons against “total government control” tells us all we need to know about you. I am sad that you live your life in fear of the government of the United States. It seems to be OK to me, with all of its flaws (so long as the orange monster is out of power). Maybe you would feel better wearing a tinfoil hat.
eah says
‘stunning and brave’
In addition to being able to defend themselves and/or their property, if need be, from criminals, the purpose of the 2A is that citizens should possess some protection and deterrent against government, meaning government should not have a monopoly on weapons — what has changed? — why is that no longer relevant? — in fact, after all the ‘standing down’ etc in 2020, when government actually seemed complicit in the violence and destruction, the latter purpose of the 2A as described above seems more relevant than ever.
By the way, a rough count shows almost 350 gun homicides so far during 2022 in Chicago and Baltimore alone — oddly enough, people like you do not seem to care about that at all, since that is similar every year, yet you never engaged in similar theatrics.
Paula says
The only reason the killing at Robb Elementary School stopped was a a privately owned gun, a Border Patrol officer getting a haircut at the barber heard about what was happening, didn’t have his gun, the barber gave him his, and he got to the school and went in, he found the classroom Ramos was in and shot him, BLM will suggest that is “racist”. The emasculated by democrats (arresting criminals is racist!) Uvalde police cowered outside for 1 hr and 17 minutes. Here are the facts about what was prolonged because no armed security no armed trained teacher:
https://www.kens5.com/article/news/special-reports/uvalde-school-shooting/uvalde-texas-school-shooting-fourth-grader-student-account-elementary/273-51cc4e26-7a0a-49c0-ba7a-48cdd47fa235
‘I was hiding hard’ | Fourth grader who survived Uvalde school shooting gives heartbreaking account of gunman’s classroom assault
“The cop said: ‘Yell if you need help!’ And one of the persons in my class said ‘help.’ The guy overheard and he came in and shot her,” the boy said.
Joe Bean says
I wouldnt pat a dollar to watch your lame baseball team. And I’d be sure to leak on your back given the opportunity
Bob Gills says
Hey Gabe, Uvalde TX was horrible. I am a father of 4 kids. But my anger comes from a different place. Why are these mass murders happening? Is it because of guns? Or is there some other reason? We have a country that has allowed (in fact promoted as a right) the murder of children in the womb – up until birth or even as its happening. 3,000 per day here in the US. And the mother of the Uvalde murderer told us not to judge her son. That might tell you something right there.. So much of what is going on ithis country makes no sense. Uvalde is just one of many examples. We’ve always had lots of guns in the US. Is the issue really guns or a loss of a moral foundation? Look what’s going on at so many areas of our culture that people in their heart know is not right and that does not serve the common good. So you are right if your message is that we the people have to make our voices known and the change has to come from the people. I’m guessing that we differ on how that’s done.
Matt in Oklahoma says
Did ya fix it? Nope.
Projection and grandstanding
Typical
Your Mom says
F _ _ _ you Kaplan. Anti-American c_ _ _sucker.
Lazlo says
Gabe, you are well meaning but are missing the plot. Banning guns might make you feel good because you want to do something, anything, to stop this madness. Except the madness won’t stop, it’ll adapt. You want to help? Shut up and play ball, man. Look at the comments… not helping. Just more division. If you are the narcissist that you’re being accused of, then you’ll still feel good about your post. If you are honest with yourself, you’ll feel ashamed.
Mark says
The respect for our country is wavering. We’re the ‘finest’ country in the world. When respect for our country goes, so goes the country. Gabe, I applaud the fact you want to take a stance, guns themselves are not the problem. The gun didn’t grow legs and enter the building and shoot it up. I hope you second guess your decision and find another way to take a stance. Wear a shirt, get custom sunglasses, shoes, bracelet, or rings. Please don’t continue to take our country down by disrespecting it. I have a small influence, you have a much bigger influence. People will appreciate the effort if you continuously wear a shirt, etc. Attacking our anthem is not the answer. Have a great weekend!! Gabe, you wear Red, White and Blue almost everyday, be proud of it!!!
Mark C. says
Remember when teams were led by all-American alpha men? Now they’re led by woke anti American betas. Cuba has baseball. Pack up and take your far-left politics to your ideological homeland.
David G says
Yes exactly … if you don’t like it here get out
Rickster says
If he didn’t stand because of Biden ILLEGALLY allowing hundreds of thousands across the border ILLEGALLY, and against the violence & expense DIRECTLY CAUSED by this ILLEGAL activity it would be one thing. Or perhaps that fact you can’t walk down a street in SF without seeing shit on the streets and the smell of urine left on the street by the used needles – that would be another reason to do so. Criminals will always get guns.
Anabelle says
No they won’t. If there are no guns, they can’t. This is a dirty business, is all about money. Gun industry is extremely profitable.
Anabelle says
Abortion is also really profitable too. I support that though. Guns bad, Baby murder good. My motto.
Michael Serra says
The exact opposite of a “ban” is the best solution..Train every American as children the handling and safety of firearms. Every weapon is an “assault” weapon. The scare word that gun haters use is “assault”. A knife, a brick, a black belt, a car, a pen in the right hands…all assault weapons. The 2A was written for something different. And the government we have now is the perfect example. Tyranny and over reach. You don’t blame society for a criminal’s delusional decisions. Gun laws are strict as hell in NY, Chicago. Bad people will always get guns, Good people need to counter with the same. Shooters think harder when someone can shoot back. .
You don’t take everyone’s car for a intentional ramming of a Christmas parade (6 dead, 45 injured). Lose the virtue signaling. This current regime in office is an absolute reason for the 2A. Don’t buy the media/globalist narrative. An unarmed society, when the govt has guns, are slaves. You don’t like our Bill of Rights? Maybe you should live elsewhere. When the US starts getting their guns grabbed, the whole world loses the shining beacon on the hill.So tired of people and their signal virtue bs without realizing their OWN LIBERTY is what gets banned.
Charles says
E pluribus unum, civility, nuclear family, strong moral code, respect for elders and each other, fear of God, wisdom, community, neighbors, small government, these are a few of the items missing that have helped lead the country to where we are today.
Mark says
It’s so intellectually lazy to blame this on the object. The root causes of these incidents are much more complicated. Your protest is lame and is a dishonor to all the brave people who have laid down their lives so you can behave like a petulant child.
Lynn says
Our problem is NOT just about the physical guns and violence, it’s about mental health.Let’s address this aspect in our children, FOR our children. Let’s address ALL the guns, killing and encouragement of violence, especially in video games- they put guns in the users hands and make it feel NORMAL. Video games, movies, tv and all the killing shown to our children.. these things are programming minds to violence, and are especially influencing to the mind when these are viewed at a young age. If we want change – stop the violent programming.
G. Zimmer says
Do we blame the obesity epidemic on spoons and forks? The problem is evil people. And foolish laws that prevent teachers from being armed.
zombywhiff says
We stand to honor those that fought for our country’s freedom. Jews don’t want freedom for our white country.
Todd fisher says
Your Dad was a loser if he taught you to protest the National Anthem and our flag. However, I highly doubt this is true because it’s too convenient. Anyway, you have a hundred other avenues and platforms to protest why disparage those who died for your freedoms?
Please move to a country that better suits your Socialist appetite
Sickened says
You’re a complete disappointment. You don’t like the direction of the country then you need to vote out the democrats that literally control all houses of the government. Chanelling Colin Kapernick is disgusting and your moral grandstanding is just that – grandstanding. No doubt you would be the first person to hire an armed guard were your life in danger. And no doubt your home does not have a sign that reads “This house is a gun free zone” because you wouldn’t want to invite trouble. If you don’t like our country and want to ioenly disrespect the country that made you a millionaire, then you should leave and quickly.
Dennis Dare says
It is so easy to speak out against something. Why not get out there and be for something positive? Go out and promote caring for other people. Find a place to volunteer in person, not just send money or make a statement against something. Touch people who are hurting or in need and touch them eye to eye. Just being against something will not fix it.
Anabelle da Silva says
Why on earth does someone, anybody!, would need an assault weapon???? Why do they SELL assault weapons to civilians? These artifacts are designed to kill. KILL. Massively. Why does a “law abiding citizen” might need one those? Why do “law abiding” gun owners insist on keeping a right that was necessary in the 1800s? To defend themselves? From who, each other? By having weapons accesible to law abiding citizens, they are accesible also to criminals, legally or not. I do not understand this sickening obsession over owning a weapon; going so far as to buy the parts and build it on your own. Law abiding gun owners will always find excuses to justify his culture of fear: I have to defend myself and my family! Statistically how many law abiding gun owners have used their weapons to actually “defend” themselves and/or their families? Is it just the thrill of owning it?
Anabelle da Silva says
Let me add that I also vote Democrat and support the killing on innocent babies in the womb. I am very selective in what lives matter. I contradict myself. I should be ashamed of supporting abortion but I am not. My motto is “Coat hangers not guns”.
George says
Criminals don’t obey “gun laws”
5-26-2022
Charleston police reported that a man was killed by a woman armed with a handgun after he opened fire on a crowd with an AR-15. The shooter was a convicted felon who could not legally own a firearm.
https://nationalfile.com/armed-woman-thwarts-potential-mass-shooting-at-charleston-apartment-complex/
Laurie M. Gagne says
We the people did not elect the current “president”, they put themselves in places of power. I am not you and will never know what you know and feel. As bad as things are we cannot abandon our country. The national anthem still represents those people who are willing to stand as our first line of defense. Our military. It is for them that we stand, not for politicians that are trying to destroy our country so that they might control we the people. I am one of many people who, when I attended school, kids had gun racks in their trucks with guns. No one thought anything of it. My view, it is not the guns that have changed, it is people. People who carry and cultivate the hate they have in their hearts. Also our society is and has failed our kids terribly.
Ultimately your decisions are your decision as my decisions are mine.
Blessings,
Laurie M. Gagne
Dave Huff says
Gabe, you’re an ass hole!
Gregory Uba says
Thoughtful. Honest. A truly horrific thing we are all thinking about – beautifully and powerfully stated. I know it’s complicated, but if everyone committed the same level of thoughtful reflection as you have, instead if some of the defensive knee-jerk reactions of so many, we might…
I tried to write more but deleted it, surrendering to the realization that very few people who need to pause and reflect have the courage and honesty that you do.
Thank you.
Hungwei Lowe says
GO FUCK YOURSELF SAN FRANCISCO CUNT PIECE OF SHIT. YOU DESERVE THE BLOOD EAGLE.
RR says
Obviously this is a terrible tragedy and knowing these kids were calling for help in realtime is infuriating. Always liked Gabe and we’re all effected by this in different ways. I just think his reaction is wrong. In fact the huge profit driven media response is even worse. These psychos look for that notoriety as the Buffalo shooter spoke about his respect for other mass murderers who got the same profit driven media response.
For the right response maybe we should look to……………baseball or football. What happens anytime some clown jumps onto the field? The cameras cut away so as not to benefit the clown’s attention seeking actions. We need to show the next psycho that the media will not make him famous. I’m not saying this is the only solution but it has to be part of the solution going forward.
GTFO communist💩. says
If you don’t like or LOVE America… GTFO!
GO take your bat and balls, play baseball in china, or some other communist country.
“Taking a knee” has NOTHING to do with courage, guts, or honor.
Courage, Guts, and Honor is what Memorial Day is ALL about.
Because of the sacrifice of the American Soldier, you (piece of 💩) have the ability to disrespect the American people and our flag.
patkittle says
Ever notice?
1) — If a mass shooter is White, the media make very sure we know.
2) — If a mass shooter is NOT White, the media will mostly ignore it.
patkittle says
Specifically:
If the mass shooter is NOT White, the media almost entirely ignore the shooter’s race — not the shooting.
Kwame says
This article about Steve Kerr is worth mentioning. I am not choosing one side over the other in this highly-charged issue, but this is interesting to note. Having armed (and trained) security at schools could reduce the risk of such instances.
‘FLASHBACK: Warriors Coach Steve Kerr Protested to Remove Armed Security from Schools’
https://www.breitbart.com/sports/2022/05/25/flashback-warriors-coach-steve-kerr-protested-remove-armed-security-schools/
excerpt:
“In June 2020, Kerr actually attended a rally in Oakland, California, to have police officers barred from acting as security personnel in the Oakland Unified School District.
In fact, unlike what he said during his rant about the Senate, during the 2020 school rally, Kerr told folks not to rely on politicians for solutions.
“I’ve learned that the answers lie within the communities themselves. They don’t lie in a politicians office,” Kerr bellowed at the time. “I’ve learned we need to listen to the people who are in the communities, that’s why I’m here today because I want to support all of you.””
Gaybe says
Prosecute this first, and then I’ll listen to what you have to say about gun laws. Funny, ya ever notice that only the law abiding people actually follow laws? Get over yourself Gaybe, and you suck at baseball.
https://www.nationalreview.com/news/hunter-biden-reportedly-violated-federal-law-by-lying-on-background-check/
Stacey Monroe Porter says
Thanks Gay. As communists, we appreciate your willingness to degrade the flag & what it stands for. I project within the next 20 years, America will fall. & give rise to communism. 1 world order is what it is needed.
A's Fan says
i’d have more respect for you Gabe if you put your $ where your mouth is and protested the whole game and not just the national anthem. hell– do the giants really need you sitting on the bench all summer to finish in 3rd place.
CL says
A fork can kill people, should we ban those too? When will you morons learn that the gun doesn’t walk itself down the street shooting innocent children, it’s the jacked up, confused sick dumba** with mental problems that walks down the street shooting people…not the hunk of metal.
AmericanAF says
America has an illegimate corrupts regime that exists through terror and fear, supports Globalist Nazi’s in Ukraine, Totalitarian dehumanising restrictions on the people and using corrupt Fake News Propaganda and stooges to prop it up. Forces experimental injections on people that kill and injure them, promotes degeneracy and pedophilia..the list goes on So yeah he has a point.
Raymond J. Bitman says
So true! By Joe Biden’s neocunny! This was the most inspiring thing I read since someone compared Tr*ump to Thanos on twitter. Also remember to get the vaccine and let other men fuck your wife! In terrible times like this, I always think “what would the ghost of Kiev do?” and the answer would be to whine and hold a pity party using dead children as a political tool in a complex issue of which you have a marvel movie level of understanding.
Rap says
2362 innocent lives in America are lost to abortion every DAY. Killed humans. They have done nothing to deserve it except exist. Planned Parenthood targets black neighborhoods. Where is the dang outrage bud?
Taking a knee during the anthem. Way to be brave. Do what you want, say what you want, but acting like kneeling is virtuous or has any meaning or provides any help is a lie. You are a hypocrite.
Mike says
So turning your back on the flag is a good thing?
What did that accomplish?
Eddie Aucoin (@EddievonSchulz) says
Firearms don’t kill people, mentally disturbed people kill people. Been around firearms most of my life, learned to shoot a .22 cal rifle at Salesian Summer Camp in Middletown, CA when I was about 12. Spent 3 years in the US Army, slept with a loaded “assault rifle” at times in Indochina 1968. Saw a soldier go “nuts” there one night and fire his M-16 full auto outside the barracks, no one was hit luckily. Everyone had a loaded M-16 all the time with 40 rounds of ammo. We argued, we fought, never saw any Soldier shoot another. Most of these killers have a LONG history of mental disturbances. Unfortunately society doesn’t take responsibility for treatment like they once did. Most of our mental institutions have been closed for budgetary reasons or are limited to the criminally insane AFTER they kill someone. We shouldn’t wait that long. When Ronald Reagan was Governor of California he closed the State Mental Hospitals and stated it was the local community’s responsibility to care for their mentally ill citizens. It didn’t happen, small cities bought the disturbed bus tickets to larger cities because they couldn’t afford to treat them. The larger cities became the zoo’s we have today. We have a mental health crisis in this country made worse by the Covid-19 isolation. Something needs to be done about THAT. The places with the strictest gun control laws on the books already are the most dangerous, like Chicago, Oakland, Los Angeles, New York City. More gun control won’t fix that.
D. Fowler says
Respectfully, there has been no stretch of time in our young country where evil has not existed, and where leaders and followers have fallen short, sometimes woefully so. Yet together, shoulder to shoulder and in spite of our differences, we use this symbol to rally. In part it honors those before us who honorable work and in some cases, supreme sacrifices, paved the way for the privileges that we, and others around the world, enjoy today. For example, the USA played a major role in bringing World War 2 to and end, where evil caused an estimated 50 million people to die prior to the war’s end. So differences aside, together we stand, sing, and hope that this great experiment known as our country will survive and thrive so as to have an opportunity to do good, to do better, in spite of the cancers within. Here, the costly right to protest has been paid for by those before us, so it is incumbent upon us to think twice about what we protest about, and how we express that, lest we find that we throw the baby out with the bath-water.
Lee says
Thank you, Mr. Kapler. From a Dodger fan to you – I thank you for your leadership. This is a bigger issue and much more important than our loyalty to sports teams.
Joe Sixpack says
how is kneeling or hiding in the dugout going to change anything…….arrogant, millionaire coaches and athletes have lost touch with the average fan and make sports unwatchable.
Charlie Ricker says
I’m proud of you, Gabe. Thanks for using your platform to hopefully spark change. This is not an acceptable way we should have to live.
Charlie Ricker says
It is much more acceptable to live in a country that supports killing babies through abortion. That is why we all must vote Dem. Guns are bad. Coat hangers are good.
Rob Connor says
An average of 10 people are murdered in this country every day Gabe and that’s just in 10 large American cities. I never hear a peep out of democrat politicians and their supporters in the press nor from you regarding this. All of these cities have strict gun laws and have Democrat mayors. Maybe it’s time to enforce existing gun laws and change the people in charge. Hide in the dugout while our beautiful anthem is being played.
Mlc says
Wow! That’s a bold caption for a Memorial Day Weekend article! I happen to personally know thousands of brave men and women who call this country home. You sir are not brave because you have the courage to stay sitting in the Dugout. Brave are the men and women who have the courage to put their lives on the line daily in hopes of making this country a better place. Let’s not forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice so you could sit in the dugout and talk about the courage it took to do so.
Jim H says
If you feel so unsafe, feel free to sit outside this country and go live in a safer one that already has those laws you seek.
I hear Mexico is more safe than the USA.
We don’t need you and your ilk here.
Good bye rich boy.
Lesgo Brandon says
why do men in the bay area always want to get on their knees?
W says
Hey Gabe. Appreciate your thoughts. But you’re a “manager” of a freaking child’s game. Step off your soapbox. Actually you should be thanking the 2A which protects the 1A, giving you the right to express these horrible takes.
Perhaps the focus shouldn’t be on the guns, rather how this POS got to a point in their life where murdering a classroom full of kids became a “solution”. I guess that’s a harder question to wrestle with and you do, after all, babysit a group of grown men playing a child’s game for a living so that’d be pretty deep water for you.
You can red flag and instill background checks until the cows come home but that won’t resolve the real issue. Ask Boulder, CO where a “red flagged” individual murdered in cold blood, or ask Hunter Biden who admitted to lying on his 4473 (a “Federal offense”).
A disarmed population is a devoiced population – ask the Native Americans, ask the Uyghur people, ask the folks who survived the Holocaust. Perhaps, instead of thinking you have all the answers, you instead humbly ask the questions and educate yourself. Perhaps, instead of being a “leader” by “protesting” (which amounts to little more than throwing a tantrum) you lead by example and impact those around you with education and respect – even the high school dropout at Wendy’s who you look right past, as they’re “beneath you”. That is, if you can “manage” to work your way off that high horse you’re perched atop.
L D Surrency says
I agree with much of what you said. But I will never not Stand for My National Anthem. This is the People of the United States Anthem not politicians. There was a whole lot wrong with what happened. I have a lot to say about the lack of leadership and training of the Officers and lack of backbone. I also have a lot to say about why this is happening more often and it’s not just here in the U.S. it’s world wide. Teenage and young adults with no respect for human life. This is far deeper than gun control. I myself will never give up my abilities to protect my family and self. Legal or not. If you want change you have to vote not bitch and whine. Do something.
C. Robert Dow says
I will kneel for that fact we have epidemic of garbage absentee fathers in this country that take no responsibility for raising their children and teaching them too be respectful and compassionate adults.
Faggot says
Communist cock sucking faggot.
Mark Surrusco says
Sorry, but you could not be more wrong. This country has always striven to deliver on its promises. Imperfectly, and in fits and starts, but better than any other country in history. Case in point: No other country in world history, none, has ever gone to war against itself even in part to free its domestic slaves. Did we then become a land of absolute equality of opportunity for everyone including the freed slaves? No. It took decades and the courage of Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King (to name just two) to bring about change. But guess what? It also took a majority population which recognized injustice when it saw it, and accepted the need for change. All of us? No. All at once? No. That is not how humans change. If you want to see how forcing change that goes against free will works out look at Nazi Germany, Stalin’s Soviet Union, and Mao’s China. At least 100 million dead, and all they did was replace the old “nobility” with a new “nobility” made up of party members. There are more cases of good citizens who use weapons (including AR15’s) to save the good and the innocent than of evil madmen using them to kill children. Church shooting in Texas stopped by a citizen with an AR-15. Graduation party shooting in West Virginia just a couple of days ago stopped by a citizen with a pistol. Store owners protecting themselves, their customers, and their property (yes, their property) using firearms. Why are so many of the new gun owners over the last five years women and the proverbial “people of color”? Not sure what bubble you live in, but I’m willing to bet it is not Compton, East LA, Detroit, Baltimore, Chicago or any of the other places where good people live and work in fear of their lives every day, and are forced to do so by laws that prevent them from defending themselves. The national anthem expresses IDEALS; you know, goals to work towards, in the realization that we are all imperfect and will fail as often as we succeed. That would give us a .500 batting average; in your business that should be good enough for a contract, or at least some loyalty.
Yeah-Me-Neither says
If guns kill people, then pencils misspell words, cars drive drunk, and spoons make people fat.
I’m not surprised at anti-American propaganda from someone who works in San Francisco.
Kathy says
I get the emotion, but I don’t get why people are confused about why these things happen. Doesn’t matter whether it’s a shooting, a car through a parade, many 1000s dead from drugs, or gangs.
We broke things. In the last couple of decades we have changed things in ways that have impacted the foundation of society. If the foundation crumbles, the society eventually falls.
I can’t do a complete list here, but I can give you an idea.
We don’t value family. Almost all of these people have grown up without fathers and/or in dysfunctional homes.
We don’t value community. Community comes in a lot of forms. Church, school, activities, etc. Not only have a lot of us given up those things, but COVID separated many from community for 2 years. We’d rather be armchair warriors on the computer and order our groceries to be delivered than to go out and spend time with real people in our towns.
We don’t value life. How can you tell kids on the one hand that they have the right to kill inconvenient life up to the day of birth, and then tell them that it’s wrong to kill. Even if we don’t have that conversation, these things sink into the psyche of the population.
We don’t value truth. We tell boys they can’t act like boys because they’ll grow up to be misogynists and abusers. They can’t have the aggression release of the school yard fist fight because nice people don’t do that. We lie to our kids and tell them they can change genders and then crush anyone who questions the lie.
We allow our kids to confuse reality with internet time. Shut it down. Don’t let your kids spend time on social media.
Most of all, we don’t teach kids to value themselves and each other.
So…instead of pouting in the locker room because people don’t see things the way you do, maybe you could spend some time with some at risk boys and teach them what it means to be a real man. If you need a refresher course on that, I know some really good former military people who can help you out. Pretty sure meaningless temper tantrums won’t be on the training schedule.
David Baldwin says
Honoring our national anthem is to respect those who came before us and represents our commitment to our ideal future. Not taking the field accomplishes nothing & is hugely disrespectful.
hamiltonjoe says
As a combat vet I would rather him stay in the locker room than sit on the bench.
That said, the SCOUS said it is his right to sit or kneel, and I fought for all rights, not just the ones I like.
bunky says
Just another virtue signaling liberal.
It’s already illegal to kill kids.
Jake J says
“There are no background checks required for gun purchases in Texas.”
That’s what a liar named “Caitlin” wrote above. Typical liberal, can’t tell the truth to save its worthless life, yet thinks it will persuade anyone. “Caitlin,” it’s a bad idea to lie about guns in a country with nearly 100 million gun owners. Is that you, Caitlin Jenner?
Bon says
Your decision is wrong! Blaming an inanimate object for the actions of a individual is an act of delusion and denial. Second, while you are entitled to your flawed opinion, making a political statement at an event that people paid to attend and were in essence a “captive audience” is wrong and a spit in the face of those who invested time and money to see a sports event…do what you want in your off time, you have no right to impose it on the paying spectators. If you can’t support that then resign and become an activist or politician. If I wore a political T shirt or made a political statement at my work I would be fired on the spot….and rightfully so. Lastly, if you want to put blame for these 18 year old mass murderers then start with that woke left that has given us obscenely violent video games, movies, and social media that desensitizes children in their formative years and normalizes violence and mayhem. Ask yourself why those violent teen rampages didn’t occur before the advent of the internet and video games. And back to the weapon used. a pump shotgun could have inflicted as much carnage…so could driving his truck through a crown of children lined up outside for a school bus, or even a few easy to make firebombs. Woke leftist extremism created these monsters…not the firearm!
Teresa Neumann says
Wrong move, Gabe. Your method of “protesting” is divisive, selfish and counter-productive. Do know how many countless times I could have shunned our anthem and our flag simply because I didn’t agree with the direction our country was going? When I see the weekly death counts from gun violence in cities like Chicago that already has strict gun laws. When I hear the weekly reports of death by fentanyl due to our inexcusably open border. When I read about children being made to hate the color of their skin or feel confused about their gender on a daily basis by out-of-touch radicalized activists in our schools. When I hear that some states want to legislate killing babies not just up to birth but AFTER birth. When I see the mentally ill and drug addicts taking over our streets, shoving people in front of subway trains or stabbing them in broad daylight or engaging in the sex trade. When I watch anarchists, thugs, and criminals engaging in smash and grabs across our country get away scot free. When I am bullied and censored in public and on social media platforms simply for exercising my constitutional right of free speech. When I witness the unaddressed homeless problem in our cities destroying the economy and livability of entire communities. When I read about corruption in the highest levels of our government …. Etc., ad nauseum. And yet, the red in our flag stands for the blood spilled by thousands of patriots over the centuries – including the blood of my ancestors – even though they, like me, didn’t agree with the direction of the country in its entirety. If you are so outraged, do something constructive that will heal and make positive changes. Use your vote, don’t showboat. Otherwise, if you’re going to be that much of a drama king on the public stage, do us a favor and move to another country that you can be 100% proud of.
K. Ganley says
Mr. Kapler,
As a Giants fan I will admit that I was less than enthusiastic when you were announced as Bocheys replacement. However, you have won me over as a manager with your leadership of the team. As of now you have also earned my respect as a good and moral human being. This former Marine combat vet absolutely agrees with what you are doing and wishes more had the courage to stand up for what they believe. Stay strong brother.
Matt says
Beautifully articulated. Thank you for using your position to take a stand. Out of fear of change and losing their precious power, half of our elected officials want to take this country backwards. It may be land of the free for them, but it’s not for many, many others. That cannot be tolerated.
J.J. Galt says
We all know this game. Colin K. played it well. Baby Gabe wants some attention by trolling and taunting “the enemy”. The same enemy that saved us from Nazis and Commies—the dreaded “straight white Christian” redneckian—the same enemy who built this country and allowed (for the first time in history)—a country to be birthed based on the idea of individual Liberty.
They need to be punished. And on Memorial Day Weekend too! Gotta love it.
Herbert Marcuse, Gorgeous George of Open Society and Crazy Karl would be real proud of Baby Gabe. He knows the game. He lives and loves it.
Lee says
Your father never told you to protest the Pledge of Allegiance… So please stop lying and posturing like some Marxist Hero.
You’re getting paid Millions to participate in a child’s game… and You’ve been coddled so long, that now you actually believe that you’re a special boy.
Guess what? You’re not.
This is offensive to many of us… Cause you should be thanking The Almighty & We loyal American fans daily for your opportunities… But nope, You’d rather go woke and start insulting the Fan base with your anti-american diatribes.
So please put your money & time where your mouth is? or stfu and be grateful.
Sincerely,
Someone who now despises your stupid Ass
Christopher Fredrickson says
No one is happy with Biden’s America. When you have a big sign saying “this is a gun free zone” that is the perfect spot for criminals. It is amazing liberal morons think that people like this guy are gonna follow more gun laws when they are given. If there were armed teacher and armed officers at the schools the FACT is none of this would ever happen. But liberal morons like failed policy and say “no don’t go that we like when children die so we can politicize it the immediate moment afterward”. Anyone with an IQ above that of atleast a dandelion knows I am right.
Luc p says
You’re wrong. Check the US with rest of the civilised world and reflect with an open mind. Or have you never left the homestead?
no man says
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
The purpose of the 2nd amendment is not for hunting, nor is it simply for protecting yourself from criminals on the street. The purpose is so that we the people can protect ourselves from tyranny.
Most people in the United States have not experienced true tyranny and don’t seem to care to ponder it. Do please look around the world, look at history. It can come quickly and without warning. Only an armed populace can keep tyranny at bay.
I truly feel for the people affected by this tragedy. I have children of my own and I cannot imagine the pain.
We have a serious mental health problem in this country and this is what needs to be addressed.
Schumer's Syphilitic Semitic Squeeze says
Hey Krapler how about ditching your armed security/stadium police detail and walking through the Dodger Stadium parking lot after a game, I hear their supporters are real “friendly” to you SF Giant (Dildoes) and your fans.
Hoplophobic Gabe Kapler is just another in a long line of USA, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights-hating Bolshevik Bacon-adverse Brooklynites.
Bob says
The gun is a tool. It may be used as a weapon. The gun does not load itself, it does not point itself, the trigger does not pull itself. It requires a human.
This human spent 7 hrs a day since the age of 6 where? What formed his morals, his ethics, his values? Was he taught to lose his shit when faced with a micro aggression? Was he taught the world owed home a six figure salary upon graduation? Was he taught that nobody should experience disappointment? Was he given participation awards for losing? Did he play kickball? Did he play dodge ball? Was he told that words can be violence and it was appropriate to respond with violence to words he did not agree with? Was he taught boys can be girls and girls can be boys?
This has been in the making for 50 years. It will not be undone easily and the root causes will likely not be addressed ever. Nice work libs. You created some real good citizens. Welcome to your world.
Go ahead and take away the guns. Then you can take your chances with IED’s and suicidal bombers, and there will be no barbers with shotguns to protect you.
Brian says
Why don’t you just do it and not tell us all about your bravery if it is a matter. You have to go on your own platform and draw attention to yourself for your massive step of bravery to take a stand. Who cares man, I am sure very few people get up and wonder what you are thinking today. I bet your ego is fun to live with for those around you!
James beam says
You are cancer. You are not in favor of america you are only in favor of advancing yourself and your clout. You are like an invasive species, unwanted, but we have to deal with your unacceptable behavior. If you want to be in politics then run for elected office. Instead you have to ruin and bring down an institution, just like history shows with communism and Marxism. Hope you rot in hell.
karens dad says
your dad should have taught you about history—stalin’s russia, hitler’s germany, mao’s china, nebuchadnezer’s babylon, castro’s cuba. so many millions of unarmed citizens killed by ruthless regimes in comparison to the small fraction of victims of “mass shootings” in the US. your claim that america is the only country where mass shootings occur is ridiculous
there are ways to address the issue-but kneeling, hiding in the dugout, virtue signaling and lying in a BS blog wont accomplish anything.
Vern says
You are a preening, pussy, poseur.
Go fuck yourself.
Johnny says
You and your dad can go fuck yourselves you sanctimonious cock sucker.
Jim says
Is anything but leadership…wrong holiday to make your stand!
James says
Real class act.
Inman says
Lots of soapboxes. But stances by Kapler and Kerr are beyond the pale. I’d give odds any Giants player who publicly stated an opposing view would be traded/released in a week. I’ll vote with my money — bye bye Giants.
James says
Yea go fuck yourself. Lecture us like kids. You didn’t have any problems cheating when you played. Loser
Th Precog says
So Gabe, why not take a stand on your filthy city. Filled with the homeless many with mental health issues, the rampant drug use in these same areas and let’s not forget the human waste found on many of your San Francisco streets. Start your clean up and your self righteousness in your own backyard there.
Dawn says
Where are your idiotic comment every week for the people killed in Chicago? Do you ignore Chicagos weekly death toll because it is mostly black young men perishing? The number of Chicago youth dead weekly dwarfs and no word from you or your hypocritical ilk acting like we give a crap about anything you say. Grow up hypocrite truly make a difference everyday instead of taking advantage of a huge tragedy. You disgust me!!!
George Cedillo says
This thread of replies is literally what the gun control “talks” are, have been, and will be: YES, NO, YES, NO, YES, NO, what about alcohol? YES, NO, YES, NO, YES NO. Prayers and thoughts. Good bye.
Peter says
Kapler is right: general morality, compassion, and common simplicity of community has been lost. The pandemic has made everyone think that everyone is equal without having to do anything to improve themselves. Baseball is about performance, so it must be frustrating for him. I thank him for drawing the line and demanding that we improve, too.
Jackie Luppi says
Thank you Gabe. We need to do something. We must push our elected leaders to institute change or simply replace them with leaders who will.
Sean P Riley says
Mr. Kapler, thank you for this thoughtful piece. It’s eloquent, moving, and cogent. I really appreciate it. I had similar feelings on January 6, and my thoughts also went to my dad. I published a piece about teaching that day and it parallels themes in your writing. Basically, I think so often about my dad in this strange times.
https://cagibilit.com/american-knights/
John says
Most are not for BANNING GUNS. I know – in this case only Republicans – that get mindlessly angry when the subject of gun precautions are breeched and state uniformly that “Democrats want to take our guns away.” But the vast majority, in my experience do not want guns universally banned, rather some precautions that would keep guns away from youngsters and disturbed persons. My NRA training (late 1950″s) and Boy Scout Riflery Merit Badge would be good places to start from when building a sensible regulatory framework for gun ownership. BE BRAVE and work for a better USA!
Bo Abe says
You’ve not been paying attention if you think the Leftists are demanding mandatory NRA classes and Boy Scout merit badges, rather than a national ban on semi-automatic firearms followed by bans on all firearms for the law-abiding commoners. Take them at their word on what must be done to end gun homicides.
Gene says
Thank you for helping to draw attention to the fact that something needs to change in this country when it comes to guns. The status quo is unacceptable.
Agnus Dei says
What a bunch of Leftist Loons. USA is ranked 11th globally for deaths per capita by school shootings. 7 kids die per year from school shootings. 43 kids die per year from lightning. 300 a year from toasters. 800 a year from bed sheets. So let’s ban lightning, toasters and bed sheets. YOU ARE INSANE IF YOU THINK YOU ARE TAKING MY RIGHTS JUST BECAUSE CRIMINALS EXIST.
Anthony says
2020 US gun deaths- 42,000
2020 US abortions- 900,000
The same people screaming last week for the right to murder a baby in the womb, are here claiming guns are killing kids. You people sicken me….
Bo Abel says
And approximately two-thirds of those gun deaths are suicides. Suicide by any other means is still a suicide.
Wayne Y says
We are the only country to allow this to continue…
cmc says
If you asked any loved one who suffered such a loss if you could go back in time and place armed security at the school, regardless of political leanings what do you think they would say? I think we know. If you are a major league manager, you and your players have armed security all around you. Are our children not worth the same protection? Why don’t we do that? It can’t be a money issue, God knows this county spends like there is no tomorrow. So what is it? Does anyone really think the 2nd amendment will be repealed? It will never happen. And even if it did, how long do you think it would take to confiscate some magnitude of approximately 500 million fire arms? There are very difficult problems to solve in this country right now, one is the proliferation of guns to those who have no business having one and two we have a mental health crisis particularly among young disaffected men. So knowing that these two issues will take an immense and concerted effort to solve, why are these schools not protected with armed security? Sadly, I think its because it would solve the immediate threat and there are too many holding office who that doesn’t work for.
Former Giants Fan says
As a life long Giants fan who spent decades watching games on tv, going to games, buying overpriced food and merch, you and your Ilk are the reason I have stopped watching and paying my hard earned money for ALL professional sports. After 2 years of not even caring about you overpaid spoiled brats, I am a much better person. i spend more time with my family and friends than sitting there for hours on end watching and wasting my time. So from the bottom of my heart , thank you for showing your true colors and pissing me off enough to throw all my Giants, 49ers, and Warriors gear in the trash, and enjoying a nice day and not watching and supporting people like you and the organizations you work for.
MonkSox says
Sez the moron who can’t fill out a lineup card………how’s your team doing ya’ total loser.
aunti body says
when we won’t enforce the laws we have now, when judges and DA’s won’t hold criminals accountable, what good does it do to make new laws?
R. Grunt says
America is the greatest country ever created in the course of human history. This is directly attributable to the fact it was founded on Biblical principles such as Natural rights, rights given to individuals and peoples, of which the Bill of Rights which includes the 2nd Amendment is a direct expression. For the vast majority of our history we were a deeply religious people with even nominally religious people acknowledging the sovereignty of God, good and evil, right and wrong. This is not so anymore. What changed?
The American Left has been trying destroy America and sever our relationship to our Judeo-Christian heritage for 100 years now, and they’ve been far too successful. I believe it was James Madison, writer of the US Constitution, that said, “Our system of governance is made for a moral and upright people.” We are not a moral and upright people anymore. And this is largely because of the tolerance that was allowed to the American Left who have now taken control of all major institutions in America, illegally in some cases as with the stolen 2020 election, and uses it to push deviancy, degeneracy, and moral decay.
If you want to know why there are school shootings in America today and there wasn’t thirty or forty years ago, if you vote Democrat look in the mirror. You support a political party that hates God, hates America, hates people like me, and rots children’s minds with their hatred they get in communist indoctrination camps known as public schools.
Democrats, like you, are the problem, and may be you shouldn’t be allowed to own guns; but the plurality of Americans that stand against what you support need guns to defend ourselves and our families from the moral depravity and criminality of the Democrat Party and the American Globalist Left.
Herbert W. Schimke says
I can’t stand all these liberal grandstanders. AR-15s are responsible for less than 100 deaths every year and there are almost 10 million of them out in the hands of responsible gun owners.
Handguns are responsible for 90% of the murders by firearms. So here’s the problem. You want to ban AR-15s because some sick monster was roaming society but were does it stop. He could have killed just as many with a shotgun or a handgun given the fact the police left him alone in that school for over an hour. Hell, he could have killed that many with a knife.
So what’s next, well we will have to ban handguns and then shotguns according to the liberal logic. Moreover, that’s what they all want. That’s why responsible gun owners fear this type of talk. Blame the sicko not the gun he uses. Furthermore, pick up a news paper and see how many blacks people killed each other in Chicago over the weekend, then let me here all these liberals freak out. At least their anger would be justified.
Grow up and use your brain. This is being politicized for a reason and it’s purpose is to end gun ownership. Maybe not today or next year but that is the ultimate goal and all you morons are cheering it on with your pathetic virtue signaling. Shut up and sit down. When you want to address the illegally owned gun violence plaguing our inner cities then I’ll listen. Funny how Libs don’t care about that. #BLM.
Ernest says
Good guys with the guns had body armor and still didn’t go after the Bad guy 18 yr old drop out with military grade firearms and plenty of ammo https://www.facebook.com/groups/1179243645464248/permalink/5145377412184165/?fs=e&s=cl
Bill M says
Coach the game! Respect the vets, flag, fly overs and the military swag in the Giants dugout store. Respect those of us who get up and do our jobs without imposing politics on everyone around us. Your head is obviously not in the game which you are paid to coach to the best of your ability. Follow the money and vote out the people who continue to weaken our once great city and county. Find another way to protest or impose your opinions. Take a leave of absence, reach into your own pocket and get on the front line. Not on our baseball fields “coach”.
David Ross says
Oh the horror. 30,000 kids are killed each year through abortion, but that’s a woman’s right. 19 get killed by a mentally deranged individual and its the end of the world. Kapler – you nothing but an attention seeking fraud, taking a page from Kapernick’s book. The irony is they neither of you are/were very good at your job.
Jimmy L Haigler says
Everything you said is true and we support you!! I also would like to say I appreciate you writing this because our country needs more people like you. Thank you!!
Mark Barnes says
Mr. Kaplan,
Many many people have died protecting the freedoms we all enjoy and sadly, take for granted. Yes we live in a flawed country.
But you have the right to protest as you see fit solely because others have bled and died to preserve that right. This is what our flag and national anthem stand for.
And I too have the right to peacefully protest. So here is mine… I will never ever attend, watch or listen to a broadcast of the SF Giants as long as you are in the organization.
Sadly, I have chosen to foresake all professional sports for the same reason.
Thank you for your contribution to the ruination of our sports.
Enjoy your multi-million dollar salary.
Sincerely, Mark Barnes
Rex says
Your mother done raised you wrong…
hill says
well said stupid inbred republicant trumper.
LibsAreTheEnemy says
Eat a dick you commie faggot.
Booty tickets says
Good for you for voicing your opinion even though it’s complete shit.
Joan Carsey says
Neither rain, snow, Carter, Clinton, Obama or Joe Biden will deter us from our appointed rounds! That is dedication, loyalty and discipline! You are free to leave at any time.
Jon says
All democrats hate this nation and Isreal – just disgusting. Maybe if we spent 40b on school safety officers we would never have happen again? Nah, democrats don’t care about saving kids just grabbing guns and controlling citizens, the big central government they love. Unless they are calling it systemically racists, then they want to expand its power. Good job, Kaplan!
Ed T. says
How brave. That really does a lot to solve the problem. LOL
Mike says
Gabe does have a right to protest. Remember, people died for you to do this. This has nothing to do with guns! A gun will not do anything if it is just sitting there. This has everything to do with mental illness. No one wants to address this issue due to it might “hurt some feelings” Shame of you Gabe for using our National Anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner as your platform to protest the shooting. Our National Anthem has nothing to do with any kind of protest!
Founders1791 says
Name just one law that prevented the next shooting or killing with any weapon? There are none. Violent psychopaths can not be reasoned with. EVERY country suffers mass killings all the time using Trucks (France 86 dead), Knives (China -33 dead), Bombs (Oklahoma-168 dead), and Fire (NYC-87 dead) .The single greatest threat is Mental Illness.
Ernest says
America is the only nation with this mass shooting problem. Do you get it?
Founders1791 says
No it isn’t and that list is very long: Mexico had 33 mass killings this year alone, Russia Beslan school shooting 333 dead (186 children), China has mass killings monthly with knives, on and on everywhere YOU don’t want to read or accept!
Amy says
Thank you. Just, thank you. Very well said.
Amy says
Let me just add to my comment above that thank you for pointing out that I support killing babies through abortion, not guns. Guns bad. Coat hangers good.They violate my safe space. It is much better to murder babies in the womb. I am not christian because I am a Dem.
Jim Beam says
This is a mental health problem, Gabe. You solve mental health issues, you solve the problem
Joseph Riccardo says
The “shooter” was an 18 yr old BULLY – a punk-ass, wet-behind-the-ears teen with an absentee father (no fatherly guidance or discipline, a weak-minded mother (“Oh he had his reasons for what he did…don’t judge him…”) (no motherly guidance or discipline) If you don’t respect your mother and/or father, you won’t respect ANYONE else – period. He probably had every damn videogame or object he ever wanted – just to shut the kid up – spoiled rotten, but NOT in a good way… What he needed was a good swift kick-in-the-ass from an ARMY drill sergeant in a boot camp setting. He left his mother’s to live with his grandmother because the WIFI wasn’t good enough/fast enough at his mother’s place to suit him. He had WAY too much idle time on his hands, wasn’t a good student – failed to graduate and he threw a temper tantrum because they just “didn’t pass him” for the sake of passing him. He was the textbook definition of a SPOILED-BRAT kid – who sadly had access to firearms – again his parents were abject failures as he never learned HOW to respect life. He hurt animals – was definitely mentally ill… The SCHOOL did nothing about it all, His mother and father were losers as parents and did nothing. IT IS NOT societies job to raise people like that. He had zero respect for authority and life itself. He was groomed to do what he did because he was never properly disciplined as a child. Gun control laws cannot parent a child properly. Activists don’t give too damns about the shooter, those poor children and teachers who were victims, or anyone/anything else but to gain soundbites and attention!
Marshal says
Thanks Gabe! My dad used to take me to see the Brooklyn Dodgers and NY Giants play. I thought my life was ruined when both teams moved to California. How innocent I was then.
wildman93 says
‘My father taught me to stand for the pledge of allegiance when I believed my country was representing its people well or to protest and stay seated when it wasn’t’. Thats the difference between your father and mine. Mine taught me to stand up for the flag and national anthem period, through the good times and the bad. Either the Constitution that this nation is founded upon is good or it is not. I think most marriage vows say something like the following, “I take you, to be my wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health… I guess citizens like you are just a long for the ride. You’re here for the richer, health, and better part, so help you God or in your case is that a little ‘g’.
Johnny Depp says
This guy is just “virtue signaling”. It’s the hip thing to do. Act like you really care so you can get some “likes”.
Hugh Jaynus says
Happy Memorial Day people. We at MLB would like to honor the veterans who gave their lives by not showing up for the National Anthem.
Henry says
Liberal Logic:
You don’t need guns. You have the police to protect you.
Meanwhile in Uvalde, Chicago, New York, Buffalo, L.A., St. Louis, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Baltimore…etc.
kurt says
Never let a tragedy to to waste..
Joe says
“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.” (Michael Hopf). Gabe looks strong on the outside, but he’s just weak on the inside. Any number of actions could have been constructive to making this situation better. Instead he chooses to hide.
If you believe that strongly, then DO something. Send money. Volunteer. Educate or better yet, get educated.
The National Anthem is there to unify us. Everyone commenting here is with you in that we don’t want mass shootings or innocent children killed. We all want the same thing and should work together on it. We won’t all agree on the solution, but that is fine and normal in America.
What is not fine is hiding in the shadows, dividing the very people you need to work with to solve this problem.
Bob Mitchell says
Gabe, as President Trump correctly stated, “Everything woke turns to shit”. You are off and running in that direction.
OJ Simpson says
can not think of a worse PR move for you and your 3rd place giants than pouting in the dugout on memorial day weekend while your team is on the field for the anthem. Bad look. it makes frisco long for the days of bochey’s strong leadership and 3 rings. won’t be surprised to see the coach lose his team as he hides in the dugout pouting about the country that is making him filthy stinking rich.
Joe Giordano says
Thank you Gabe for your comments on the Uvalde, Texas murders of 19 children and two adult school teachers. There should be more of us that put the country first (which really means putting the citizens first). Yes, I hear all the arguments, mass shootings in the United States are relatively small to the overall population; tell that to the families that have lost their children and loved ones. Guns don’t kill people, people do. Yes, that statement is true but why do the guns have to be assault rifles for 18 year olds, it sounds like this shooter was better armed then the police that originally arrived at the scene. Why do the police officers at the scene have to put their life at risk as they did in the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida where the shooter also had an assault rifle. They pray upon the defenseless–children at school, people at church, people shopping at stores and our politicians that we elect to represent us do nothing! Citizens of this country should not just be treated as collateral damage. Yeah I know, lets arm the teachers, the cooks making lunch and the custodians; give me a break. Note-rest of comment on next reply, thanks.
I
Joe Giordano says
(The rest of my comment) I am not for taking our guns away from law abiding citizens as they like to say, but what about limits to the most dangerous weapons, like assault rifles and more informed background checks. Yes, I know we have plenty of gun laws on the books, they say look they do not work, we do not even know if these laws are being enforced or if they are the right laws for what we are facing. Most of my life I have voted Republican; if you are waiting for that current group to do anything forget it.
I know that there are more reasons they give why nothing will ever work to stop mass shootings and the future class of mass shooters hope our elected officials will continue to do nothing so they can get the weapons legally to do the most damage to the police and our citizens. Don’t be afraid to do the impossible, sometimes you will find that it just might work, who would of thought.
Sean says
Why restrict rifles? The people would cede more power to govt then. We are not serfs, not Europeans, not domesticated beasts. Fed 46 explains it. It is just as critical today as it was centuries ago.
Bruce Bochy says
get off your knees. get your ass out on the field with your team and act like a freaking coach
Bruce
Heidi says
Thank you for your thoughtful remarks and for taking.a stand.
GI Joe says
bravery is laying down your life in europe, to stop the crazy man that was massacring your people in gas chambers. so this weekend, get over your rich bitch self and get off your ass to honor the men who were truly brave and gave it all
Susan Maastricht says
Thank you
jim stone says
i’m not giving my gun away gabe. i need it to protect my family. sorry
Michael Conklin says
Thank you for speaking from your heart and taking action. In spite of all the criticism and negative comments you have received because of it, bravely standing up against injustice on behalf your fellow Americans and calling out our countries misdeeds defines true patriotism!
Daniel Wallace says
The news and politics has permeated every aspect of our lives. My only escape has been sports. It’s where we all come together to cheer, celebrate and commiserate. If I want to find out how messed up the country is I’ll turn on the news. Baseball should be a politics free zone. Just worry about managing and filling out line up cards and shut up about politics Kapler.
Charlton heston says
Every time these idiots start talking about gun control, sales of guns and ammo go through the roof. The honest, taxpayers in this country know that our govt is corrupt beyond repair and the war to defund cops means we can only rely on ourselves when the shit hits the fan. Don’t tread on me ya rich out of touch bastard
LibsAreTheEnemy says
Fuck YOU, FUCK COMMIE LIBS LIKE YOU and FUCK the MLB.
How many MORE “LAWS” do you need?
It is not the LAW ABIDING doing these shootings, it is CRIMINALS.
Just like all the BLACK gang thugs killing each other daily nationwide.
YOU are an asshole and a librat scumbag.
Hope your “ideas” lead to CW2 and we can wipe you commie GRIFTERS out once and for all.
James Khoury says
The fact that we are all able to express are opinions should be enough motivation to honor our flag and stand out for the national.anthem.
Get out there and stop acting lime a spoiled brat.
Daniel Wallace says
exactly
Luc p says
https://safeatlast.co/blog/gun-violence-statistics/
Think with a critical, non biased mindset and keep respect for each others opinions.
Johnny X says
Quit being a little unpatriotic bitch you little overpaid pussy. Your job is to lead your team not be involved in politics.
Mark H says
First of all, I’d like to thank Gabe Kapler for a very well put (and thoughtful) statement.
After reading what he’s written, I (with trepidation) read through the comments and found what I had hoped not to find, ridiculous whataboutisms, illogical rationalizations and refusal to recognize facts along with laughable misinformation.
So I had to chime in. Forgive the possible TL/DR of what I’ve written below but in order to put this complex issue in perspective, a large amount of context is necessary.
First of all, the AR-15 is not technically an assault rifle (technically it’s an “assault style rifle), it’s a semi automatic “civilian version” of the M-16 (which is an assault rifle). The AR-15 is reasonably easy to modify using parts and instructions found all over the internet to be fully automatic, if that’s too hard, bump stocks are still gettable through less than legal means. Bump stocks are a modification to the stock of the AR-15 that causes the entire gun to bump back causing the trigger finger to pull rapidly, making the semi automatic gun act like a fully automatic weapon with minimal modification. Semi automatic weapons are guns that require a trigger pull for each firing but do not require that the gun be “cocked” between shots. Automatic weapons are guns that can shoot continuously with a single trigger putt (usually with a switch that can set it to three round bursts per pull). OK, now we’ve got a better ideal of what, exactly an AR-15 is.
Now, let’s talk about actual gun deaths in this country. The vast majority of gun related fatalities are due to handguns, not AR-15s. Mass shootings account for less than 1% of the firearm related fatalities in the US. Mass shootings get much more coverage because, though they’re comparatively rare, they’re horrific and have an extremely high cost per incident. Handgun related deaths get little to no coverage because they’re so tragically common that no news organization can really report every gun related domestic dispute fatality, street crime or home invasion where the criminal uses the resident’s own gun to kill them and still have time to report any other news. As a society, gun fatalities have become so commonplace that we’ve become numb to them unless they’re spectacularly horrific like Columbine, Newtown, Parkland, Las Vegas or Uvalde.
Now some points about handguns and assault style weapons. Though the AR-15 is not technically an assault weapon, it is based on the M-16 and the M-16, like handguns, was designed specifically, for one reason and one reason only: to put holes in people. Neither style of weapon is designed to be accurate enough over long-range to be useful as a hunting weapon. These re weapons that should not be in the hands of the general public but should be restricted to active military and law enforcement personnel because they have no legitimate civilian purpose.
This, of course, leads to the baseless argument that people need handguns in their homes (or on their belts) for “personal protection”. This is a terminally flawed argument because, in the vast majority of home invasions where the owners have handguns, if the gun is fired, it’s the gun owner and not the criminal that is shot. The same statistics apply to the majority of situations when a violent confrontation occurs out of the home and the victim is armed, the gun is taken by the criminal and, if fired is fired on the gun owner. The reason for this is that most mentally healthy people are not actually capable of pointing a gun at another person and firing because we know the consequences of that action. Ian Fleming did a very smart thing when he wrote the James Bond novels because he gave the 007 “license to kill” designation, not because Bond was a super spy, but because he was borderline psychotic and was capable of killing (which the vast majority of us are not).
I’m not going to get into the arguments about other countries’ very successful bans on “assault style weapons” those numbers speak for themselves, regardless of how much opponents of gun control try to deny them.
OK, we’ve dealt with facts, now let’s deal with the whataboutism style of disinformation. The most common is “cars kill people so let’s ban cars”. This is a laughable argument for many reasons, first of all, most would be overjoyed if firearm ownership were subjected to the same level of control as auto ownership. In order to own and operate a car in the United States, you have to meet an a minimum age limit, prove proficiency through written and practical testing (many states require formal practical training), be issued a license that must be periodically renewed each car (or truck) must be annually registered with periodic inspections to prove that the vehicle is safe as well as carry annually renewed liability insurance for EACH vehicle. Specific infractions and/or multiple infractions can result in suspension of the license to operate a motor vehicle and, if sufficiently egregious, can result in licensed vehicle seizure. If we applied the same standards for gun ownership, the United States would have the most strict gun control laws on the planet. So, I for one, would applaud treating gun ownership the way we treat vehicle ownership.
Now let’s talk about the National Rifle Association. The NRA was founded as a hobbyist group of hunters whose aim was increasing gun safety and, for most of it’s history, was strongly in favor of gun control. In the mid 70s Wayne LaPierre got involved in the NRA and a couple of things happened, the NRA entered into marketing agreements with handgun manufacturers and started to promote handgun ownership (something it had never advocated up to that point), secondly the organization started to get political (which, again, it had never previously been) and fight against anything that it decided would reduce gun sales. They even modified the text of the 2nd Amendment to read: “.. the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” This, of course leaves out the first part of the Constitutional Amendment which gives the reason that the 2nd Amendment was written in the first place.
The entire text of the 2nd Amendment reads: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Understanding this requires some context in terms of where the United States was at when the Bill of Rights was written. After the Revolution, the new nation was deeply in debt and was unable to support any sort of standing army or military (in fact, the first of the armed forces that would come into existence because they knew that they had no choice but to fund it was the United States Coast Guard). At the time, many of the men who had fought in the Revolutionary War still had the weapons that they had brought to fight and were combat veterans. James Madison and the authors of the Constitution knew that the new nation would need some sort of defense and that their best chance would be to have militias organized by states that could be called up, supplying their own weapons as needed (and they were in conflicts like The Whiskey Rebellion). The authors of the Constitution were trying to ensure that they could call up enough people with their own weapons to act as a national defense. Once the United States had a full time standing military (after WWI) the purpose of the 2nd Amendment was defunct.
Another thing to take into account (which pro gun advocates like to conveniently forget) was that, at the time of Constitutional Convention, most firearms were single shot unrifled muskets (rifling had only recently been invented and most people couldn’t afford the new, more accurate weapons). Muskets fired round shot, were unrifled, took time to reload after each shot and were notoriously inaccurate. The current state of the art was that the finest soldier could get of one shot a minute and have approximately 40% accuracy, a far cry from the rate of fire and accuracy of even a semi automatic weapon of today, much less a modified, fully automatic AR-15. Because of their short barrels, pistols were even more inaccurate. The Framers of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights had no way of conceiving the weapons that are responsible for firearm related fatalities today.
Currently, 32% of US citizens own firearms. The most recent raw numbers of guns in the US date from 2017 and they show that there are 393,347,000 guns in the US and an estimated population of 326,474,000. This means that, not only are there significantly more guns than people in this country and they’re owned by less than a third of the population. The math is obvious.
Three days ago a Morning Consult/Politico poll found that 59% of Americans favor stricter gun controls on a national level. Last I checked 59% is not only greater than 32% but is a clear majority of the American people.
Thank you Gabe Kapler.
Michael Villano says
Please. Guns are used anywhere between 500000 and 2 million times a year to successfully stop murder, home invasion, rape and robbery. You either loathe the constitution or are completely ignorant of it.
Luc p says
Excellently, factually and all saying.
Jake Ness says
“Another thing to take into account (which pro gun advocates like to conveniently forget) was that, at the time of Constitutional Convention, most firearms were single shot unrifled muskets”
High-speed presses, motion pictures, and electronic communications hadn’t been invented either. Therefore, freedom of the press covers only hand-cranked presses. Hey, it’s what the “progressives” want, so let’s cancel your “rights” first.
Justanotherhuman says
That was an extremely informative and well-reasoned argument. It is a good argument for largely banning all firearms. By my reading of the Constitution’s 2nd Amendment: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” speaks clearly that there is NO right to individual firearm ownership – except in the context of a “well-regulated militia.” Clearly, the framers were talking about a formal, disciplined, regulated military organization, such as the US Army or National Guard. If these were two separate thoughts, there would be a period between them, not a comma. It amazes me that the “Strict Constructionists” on the court twist themselves into a legal pretzel to avoid this simply truth.
Another of your points with which I agree is your reference to the state of the art of 1776 being the single-shot musket. If we are supposed to interpret the Constitution using the mindset and intent of the people of 250 years ago, let the courts and the Republicans stay consistent and make muskets universally available to adults. I’m eager to see the approaches to concealed carry for muskets. Sure a musket could kill, but if someone enters a school with one with plans to shoot everyone, one person may die or be wounded, and the others can simply exit briskly during the minute it takes for an experienced shooter to reload.
I’d be interested in your thoughts on my blog post: https://justafewthoughtsonlife.wordpress.com/2022/05/25/what-if-hes-not-the-devil/
Amanda Hugandkiss says
Your city is one of the most disgusting in the country. The left wing sh!tholes of LA, SF, Portland, Chicago, Detroit, New York, Philly, are all run by people with similar viewpoints as coach Gabe. Stay in the dugout, get on your knees, keep cashing your checks, do whatever floats your boat——-but when it comes to constitutional law please keep your mouth shut because we don’t want to see the whole country turned into a hell hole like SF or Chicago.
Aolan says
Dear Gabe Kapler,
Please leave the country if you find it so distasteful
F CA & the hose it rode in on., says
Exactly what I would expect out of idiot Leftist.
Mike Villano says
Not a single person on here realizes how many hundreds of thousands of times per year, sometimes millions, gun are used successfully to stop murder, rape and home invasion.
Amazing how many passive minded zombies casually consume and absorb leftist propaganda.
William says
What support do you have for stating ‘not a single person on here realizes…..’? Assuming that someone who disagrees with you is ignorant (or stupid) prevents us from agreeing on reforms that would improve our country; on this and many other issues.
Clarence thomas says
2A. The rights of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
Your solutions are unconstitutional. But don’t let facts get in the way of your feelings
William says
Dear Gabe, Thank you for having the courage to make a public stand on this. I am sure you expected the backlash. William.
William says
And thanks for keeping my safe space clear of any bad conservatives. They are very mean to me and I like cake and ice cream. It is so scary out there. Guns bad. If you want to kill kids just support abortion like me.
Pat says
I agree with you Gabe the system is broke and DC is failing us. That’s why we were given the right to bear arms. To defend against oppressive government. I don’t agree with your solutions however—to kneel, hide in the dugout or virtue signal to the media. I think the only way to deal with blood thirsty murderers is to remove them from society. I don’t think disarming law abiding citizens is going to solve the problem
Robert Sudol says
Thank you for taking a stand. I believe more public figures need to do the same before we will get something that protects people, especially our children the most vulnerable in our society.
Robert Sudol says
But keep in mind that I support abortion so kids in the womb don’t matter. Keep voting Democrat like me. Let’s not protect the unborn. Go abortion. Guns bad. Killing in the womb good.
Try Getting a Manager Job in Finland says
You don’t mind cashing those paychecks for good ole US greenbacks, though, huh? There’s nothing keeping you here, buddy. Go manage baseball in the EU.
Justanotherhuman says
So getting a paycheck means that you no longer have a right to freedom of speech and of actions which do not impinge upon your freedom?
MLB baseball says
Dear fans. Please join us in celebrating Memorial Day weekend by also ignoring or kneeling for our National Anthem. MLB endorses the slap in the face to those that died for our country. What a better weekend for our coaches and players to grandstand. Please remember to also keep buying those cammo hats that we parade out there on the field to make it look like we care.
Ronald Mac says
Blame the politicians, cops, guns……but not the adult murderer who had mental illness. Liberty has its risks and rewards. Somebody once said those who would give up liberty for safety deserve neither. Study your history and facts coach. There are mass murders going on all over the globe. You’d be hard pressed to find a safer place to live your cushy 1% lifestyle coachinng a 3rd place team year after year
Dennis Hackman says
Well said Ronald
KC says
Thank you so much Mr. Kapler, for saying what so many of us who don’t have a voice are thinking. I’ve never heard of you or your team but I’m now a fan. There is an obsessive paranoia in the US about defense from an unknown villain, ironically usually attributed to fear of an oppressive government. This unreasonable fear isn’t found anywhere else in the world, but certain people here are certain the evil is in the bushes outside, ready to come in as soon as their “cold dead hands” are emptied of their firearms. I don’t believe these people are actually afraid of home invasion. Otherwise how have I lived in this country in 4 different states for 41 years without ever desiring to own a gun? Why does my father, a retired police officer, no longer have a firearm in the house? When employed, he was a responsible gun owner with a gun locked in a case; he would have never been able to retrieve it in time to use it against an intruder in most cases. We appreciate the complication and responsibility guns introduce to a household, something I don’t think 95% of gun owners today recognize or acknowledge at all. That’s why Americans are four times more likely to die from an unintentional gun injury than those in other high-income countries. So since it’s not really about protecting themselves, there has to be some other reason this debate keeps raging and dividing our country. Deep anger against the left, anger with racial division and religious expression, and a lack of support for schools and teachers seems to be at the heart of it all. I’m not calling anyone stupid. But I do believe it isn’t surprising the mess our country is in when billionaires get tax shelters to protect their stock assets and income while my local elementary school is begging for money through constant fundraising for books and supplies. Math and science scores are suffering and kids get to high school who can’t read, and we are surprised that now there is an angry, desperate mob clutching firearms? Many of whom were raised in an era supposedly awash in peace and love.
Things are so backwards today. Thank you for calling it out, and calling it what it is.
Mets fan says
Thank you for speaking what the vast majority of Americans also believe. It is time We The People take a stand to protect our children and everyone who simply want to live their lives in peace. Yes, mass murders happen elsewhere but nowhere near the frequency as in the US. What’s the difference? Well other countries have the same percentage of mental illness as we do. Their kids play violent video games too. What they don’t have is such easy access to high powered semi-automatic weapons. That is unique to us, a country where half the politicians are owned by the NRA and the gun lobby. When the minority opinion rules the majority, we no longer have a democracy and if democracy is represented by the National Anthem then why do we bother standing for it.
Femi says
Don’t know if you’ll see this or if you’ll read it – but I want to thank you for saying everything here. I feel it all. How can Americans be brave or free when we uphold guns over innocent lives?
Justanotherhuman says
I entirely agree with you. Not only do “thoughts and prayers” have a hollow ring to me, but they actually make me angry. They are sort of a ritual we perform after a terrible, preventable act, instead of getting something done. You might be interested in an essay I wrote on the day of the shooting:
https://justafewthoughtsonlife.wordpress.com/2022/05/25/what-if-hes-not-the-devil/
Dennis Hackman says
This is why I dont follow baseball and many other sports anymore. Ignorant wimps like Kapler being disrespecting the greatest country in history with their ignorance. Go woke go broke.
Bo Abe says
I understand your sentiments. Similarly, I have flown the California state flag upside down to protest the filthy, corrupt state that its government has promoted and allowed it to become. However, I take exception to two statements you wrote, and wish you would consider them further.
First, you wrote our country is one that “refuses to take up the concept of controlling the sale of weapons used nearly exclusively for the mass slaughter of human beings.” This is patently false, for many reasons.
Nationally, every wholesale and retail sale of a firearm is heavily controlled and regulated, including with mandatory background checks for the purchaser. Every lawful purchaser of a firearm has complied with such laws, despite the significant cost and inconvenience. Further, California has outlawed common sporting rifles legal in other states and, yet, California has failed to end mass shootings.
Moreover, no legally available firearm is used nearly exclusively for the mass slaughter of human beings. If this were true for the over three hundred million firearms in the U.S. nationally, we would have millions of mass slaughter deaths annually, rather than the few dozen that occur annually on average. Nonetheless, I do share your belief that we can and, therefore, should do better.
Our federal and state governments have not refused to control guns with their myriad gun control laws, including mandatory background checks. Different people will have different opinions on where to draw the line in restricting gun rights, but this is not a refusal to identify effective, net beneficial regulation of firearms. False statements frustrate debate and effective solutions.
Second, you wrote the anthem represents the “glorification of the ONLY country where these mass shootings take place.” This too is patently false. Our neighbor to the south heavily restricts firearms, with only one gun shop in the entire country, but they have a mass murder rate that is a multiple of ours. Many countries in the world with heavy gun control laws have murder rates greater than the U.S.
All this information is available publicly on the Internet. Any difficulties in finding such is not due to my mendacity, but to heavy censorship of inconvenient truths. The elite of a country have always endeavored to leave the common men and women defenseless, while the usurpers reserve relevant self-defense for themselves and their private bodyguards. Meaningful self defense is a natural right recognized by our U.S. Constitution. Our leaders, and we, can do much better.
Justanotherhuman says
<<Moreover, no legally available firearm is used nearly exclusively for the mass slaughter of human beings. If this were true for the over three hundred million firearms in the U.S. nationally, we would have millions of mass slaughter deaths annually, rather than the few dozen that occur annually on average. Nonetheless, I do share your belief that we can and, therefore, should do better.>>
The “few dozen?” There have been 215 mass-casualty events (defined as 4 or more people shot and/or killed, not including the shooter) in the United States in 2022 so far. That is more than one per day. Uvalde was 212. (https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/reports/mass-shooting)
<<Nationally, every wholesale and retail sale of a firearm is heavily controlled and regulated, including with mandatory background checks for the purchaser. Every lawful purchaser of a firearm has complied with such laws, despite the significant cost and inconvenience. Further, California has outlawed common sporting rifles legal in other states and, yet, California has failed to end mass shootings.>>
The background checks are sort of a joke. You actually need to have a record to fail a background check. You had to have committed a crime or been institutionalized. That’s why so many lunatics are able to pass them. And, of course, this currently applies only to licensed firearms dealers. Millions of guns are sold every year privately, at shows and online, and even these weak checks are not done. Also, an instant check hardly has a “significant cost” or “inconvenience.” In my state, I can walk in, select a gun and, if I know what I want, I can be out the door in 15 minutes. Find California laws too tough or inconvenient, you can drive on over to Arizona, and buy what you want almost as easily as getting a taco, or to Nevada.
And what “common sporting rifles” are you referring to? Based on my research (https://www.shouselaw.com/ca/defense/gun-laws/), the following are banned in CA:
-Sawed off rifles and shotguns
-Assault-type weapons with high capacity magazines
-BMG rifles
-Undetectable firearms
-Zip guns
There are no “common sporting rifles” in that list. You have to admit, it would be a pretty unfair “fight” to use up to 30 rounds to take a deer. If you can’t do it in one or two shots, you have no business hunting.
Mark says
Trying to follow your logic. But…
Drew says
Well, Gabe, kneeling or not taking the field during the National Anthem is really the LEAST you could do. That is your right, so feel free to do it. You are the manager of the San Francisco Giants, why don’t you use your influence and position with the team, players and management to push to ban ALL firearms from the teams security detail (when at home and traveling) I’m sure all the players would back you. From the stadium, fans would be glad to come to the stadium knowing that the security detail was unarmed, you might even be able to start a Nation wide trend!?! How about each players individual security detail? You could include in their contract a clause forbidding them to use armed security while playing for the SF Giants. Well Gabe, change starts at HOME, why don’t YOU push for actual change instead of writing a factually incorrect opinion piece to try and virtue signal! You know what Gabe, I think you SHOULD stay in the locker room while the National Anthem is playing!
Bo Abe says
Are you advocating for the outlaw of all semi-automatic firearms for all? Everybody is outraged by the senseless deaths and the failure of the people of Uvalde to better protect their children, but what would you advocate we do differently?
Bob says
All the people in this country who don’t respect our flag and our national anthem, no one makes you stay so do use all a favor and leave!
Buster P says
Looking forward to seeing the giants franchise return to glory days of 70s at the rock bottom last place in the NL West because no self respecting ball player wants to play for a little bitch coach who thinks taking a knee is the solution to anything
Justanotherhuman says
I agree, in part. Taking a knee is a form of protest protected by the Constitution. But it is not a solution. And since distributing even more guns is clearly not a solution, what did you have in mind?
Bo Abe says
Mr. Gabe Kapler, please write a follow up post on your thoughts and questions about the many comments you received to your original post above. Thank you.
Schumer's Syphilitic Semitic Squeeze says
Gabe’s too occupied right now, he’s holding the hand and cradling the head of his player that got bitch-slapped by one of the Reds yesterday during batting practice. Fairies, Kapler and Kerr, the perfect posterboi pansies for California sports teams.
Schumer's Syphilitic Semitic Squeeze says
Ghey Gabe cruises Men’s Room stalls during the 7th inning stretch while his wife cucks him in the visiting team’s bullpen.
Jeffrey D. Robbins says
I’m with you, Gabe. (I can’t help referring to you as Gabe because I’m a baseball fan. Please excuse me.) I think we need reasonable regulations on gun ownership. Thanks.
Jeffrey D. Robbins says
What I basically mean is “We are coming for your guns. Bow down to your government”. Abortion is cool though. Killing kids early in the womb is much more sensible. Go Dems.
Jack Hauff says
An average of 31 people per day die due to drunk driving. Are you going to kneel for prohibition or keep cashing your checks that are made off beer money at the stadium. The US has aborted 60 million babies since 1973. You gonna kneel and run your mouth for those murders. How about when BLM burned down cities and beat and killed people in the streets. You virtue signal your disapproval for that? Your selective outrage is suspicious and your method of kneeling and sitting on your ass is not going to “move the needle” so why bother
Ed P says
Have you done enough posing yet Gabe? One’s particular political views are no reason to disrespect the flag or this great country. You dishonor all those who have fought (and continue to fight) bravely for your right to free speech. Grow up and oh btw….. you are free you simpleton.
Kai S says
I don’t even follow sports, but I support you and Mr. Kerr. Enough is enough is enough. Stay strong in protesting the slaughter of innocent Americans. It must end now.
Kai S says
Just make sure we keep abortion though. Killing innocent babies in the womb is cool. They aren’t Americans. Selective murder must end now. Coat hangers over guns.
Kai Slater says
Nice way to use my name to be a troll, troll. The first comment is mine. The second, no. I guess the Russian troll farms are busy here insulting intelligent Americans for finally speaking out against unfathomable military-style violence against our children. We won’t be silent.
Doug.gGortner says
HI Gabe, I love the way you play baseball. Live in Nashville, but have rooted for the Gints so long I can recall WillyMac’s two triples in his debut.
There were many guns in the old days, but we had a stable society that started to unravel in the early seventies. Now, we have a mental health crisis – and that is at the root of the problem. I don’t indulge in the details of mass shootings, but I do know that we have a crisis of parenthood.
HOWEVER, the main point of my post is that there are “mass” murders in our large cities every week, mostly involving young people. All the leading cities have very strong gun control. In 2021, Chicago averaged about 62 shootings EACH WEEK and 15 murders a week (and it is way up this year). NYC, LA, Philly, DC, Detroit, follow close behind. Very little attention is directed to this. Why, you may ask? Well, I can come up with several reasons:
Doug Gortner says
1) RACISM: The ‘Rats are always spewing this term instead of agreeing to discuss the merits of an issue. They may, however, well be the actual racists: they choose to ignore this issue because it is largely Black-on-Black crime.
2) DIRTY POLITICS: Since most of the killings run counter to their gun-control narrative and occur in cities they have controlled for sixty years, the ‘Rat politicians and their self-avowed affiliated so-called journalist allies simply bury the story.
There is reason our ancestors came to America, and the rest of the world desperately wants to move here. We were — and still are – the best country in the world!
Keep up the great work. Things will be find when the injuries calm down.
jkladis says
Hey ass-hat, your quote: “Every time I place my hand over my heart and remove my hat, I’m participating in a self congratulatory glorification of the ONLY country where these mass shootings take place.” is ABSOLUTELY WRONG!! Sports do not need your politics! If anything, you should be trying to bolster the love for our country and stop those politicians who promote hate for our country and WHO HAVE FAILED to control criminals and those who are obviously disturbed. The system (now mostly controlled by liberal democrats) is failing more and more – BUT THAT IS NO REASON TO DISRESPECT OUR COUNTRY and all of those who have sacrificed for our freedom. If you can’t support our country – ESPECIALLY in times of emergency or crisis, then get the hell out! You want to bitch about a government, why don’t you protest against the way the Israeli government has nearly wiped out the native Palestinian population in less than 60 years and continues to violate international decrees by relentlessly building Jewish settlements on disputed lands?? AND DON’T THROW THE LABEL OF ANIT-SEMITE AT ME, this is not about the Jewish people (I have no qualms with the people) I object to the actions of the Israeli government. Why don’t you go to Israel and protest there!?! If you have a problem with our country and our flag and our anthem, THEN LEAVE, we don’t need or want you here!
Douglas Gortner says
Such vitriol. So sad. Have you tried TM or therapy for your anger? You must be a ‘Rat. As I just posted, “The ‘Rats are always spewing this term (sic Racism) instead of agreeing to discuss the merits of an issue.” It is now, on the left, apparently acceptable to use vile invective in lieu of Reason!
Colin K says
Giants lose 2 in a row to reds and 7 games back. Keep running your mouth coach. You’ll be looking for a job in some 3rd world banana republic in no time. You can use a bag to protect yourself and loved ones
Phil McCrackin says
You knell to the LORD and you Stand for the American Anthem and you never use it for any other purpose except to honor the Men and Women who have served to give you those freedoms. When you can get drew brees, labron, and others like minded individuals I will pay for first class tickets to the country of your choosing. You need to be Kapernicked. mlb, nba are a disgrace. Every true American is hurt and saddened, and pissed off when this kind of evil shows it’s ugly face but we stand together. Stronger gun laws are NOT the answer and I don’t have the answer but I do know that people kill people. You always hear someone saying “You know I was just talking with him the other day and I felt life something was wrong with him,,, I should have said something???? Ya think so….
Donald Graham says
Nobody has ever died for a flag or a song in this country. They take an oath to the constitution. Larussa is a far right piece of shit. 🖕him and the rest of you trumpanzees. Stay on the good side, Gabe. Thank you for taking a stand against child murder.
Rob Stumpf says
There isn’t one person that favors child murder or irresponsible gun use. What the hell
john victor kiechle says
if you dont like it leave!
Anne B Carey says
Thank you so much for your heartfelt writing. i am so proud to have lived in the Bay Area for 15 years as a Giants, Warriors, and A’s fan (yes, it’s possible…..). Now I live in Tennessee and am so ashamed of this state for its craven embrace of all things gun. I came here to be with my son and his children, and now I worry constantly that my grandchildren will be the next victims of mass murder by firearm. Stand firm in your views, and never mind the naysayers. You are doing the right thing.
Jake Ness says
In NYC, some stats from the NYPD, 2020.
White: 12% in poverty. Murder arrests 0.46/100,000
Asian: 23% in poverty. Murder arrests 1.2/100,000
Latino: 23% in poverty. Murder arrests 4.6/100,000
Black: 19% in poverty. Murder arrests 10.5/100,000
Damn those facts. It’s whitey’s fault! It’s America’s fault!
keith says
Just for fun keep digging, and look at WHO gets shot more in NYC and Chi-town. Whites and Asians are more of the victims by the 19% than any other. Also most young black males are shoot up by guess who…Blacks by almost 93%
This isn’t about racism, this is about the communities, the music, the culture.
It is NORMAL in Chicago to open fire than brag about it, it is NORMAL to drop a drill track talking about Merk’n someone, than forcing yourself on his mother. It is NORMAL to rap about crabs in the bucket theory because its all about ME ME ME.
Im with you, Damn those facts
You should go on the View and talk with them, well no they’d remove you Facts are not allowed
SF Liberal says
Anne B Carey, I hope your grandchildren will survive growing up in a terrible place like Tennessee. Why don’t you convince your son to move back to California? It’s obviously better to raise children in our great state than in Tenn.
If your granchildren grow up in Tennessee, they’ll be surrounded by hateful Ultra-MAGA people and they’ll grow up racist and intolerant. And like you said, they might get shot any time.
But if they grew up in California, they would have a better upbringing
– they will not be shot in Cali; we have strict sensible gun control laws and no child is shot in CA, not even in urban areas like LA or SF
they will be able to invest in 100 year old 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1500 sq ft houses that cost 1 million dollars. I bet Tenn. doesn’t have houses like that.
and with CA housing costs above average, they will have fewer kids themselves (your great grandchildren), which is a net positive for the Earth. We all need to have less children so our country can have less carbon footprint.
they will have job opportunities for six figure jobs in tech. If they can’t qualify for those jobs though, they won’t be able to live in the nice coastal areas but rent for the rest of their lives. That’s better than being able to buy a house in another state though, isn’t it?
they won’t be exposed to plastic bags, super sized sodas or Happy Meals
they will not be exposed to cheap gas so they will be driving electric cars, which is good for the environment
they will be groomed by their teachers to question their sexuality. If your granchildren went to school in California, they might just identify as transgendered or transracial by age 7. Don’t you want your grandchildren’s teachers to discuss sexual matters with them in the 2nd grade?
Please come back to California with your son and grandchildren. CA has restricted doing business with 28 states because their laws on voting, abortion, and LGBTQ+ rights. Tennessee is on the restricted list.
Rob Stumpf says
You’re going to make this the land of the free by taking away the right to own a gun? Great thinking there.
Jake Ness says
Why so much mayhem in black areas? Here’s a thought: Roughly 70% of black babies are born to single women. Between 40% and 45% of those babies are born of mothers who can’t even identify the father. Whitey’s fault! America’s fault! Take a knee!
Ian TX says
The right of people WHO BELONG to a well regulated militia to bear arms should not be infringed.
This is the change we need… like DUH common sense.
SF Liberal says
Ian TX, I agree, we should change it. The Constitution isn’t permanent. It can be changed.
Why haven’t we changed the 2nd Amendment to restrict the right to bear arms? All we need to make a constitutional change is 51 Senators and a Presidential signature on the bill.
Jake Ness says
Gabe Kapler is a pathetic piece of shit who hates this country but is too greedy and cowardly to leave. How much ya wanna bet he makes damn sure to live in a white neighborhood?
John says
First: AR-15’s are NOT defined by the military as an assault weapon. PERIOD. Any weapon could’ve effectively done the same thing in this situation because of the lack of proper response. Second: the guns that we are constitutionally allowed to carry are for our own protection – especially from our own gov’t. Look at what has happened in places like Australia where they surrendered their guns – the gov’t has taken absolute control of those people’s lives a la China, and they have little to nothing to fight back with. They were arresting people and illegally detaining them in camps and lord knows what else. Do you think the idiots in charge here would do anything different if they had the chance when we couldn’t fight back?? NO. They’ve already tried to mandate forcing experimental drugs on the populace that were NOT approved in any true medical fashion (the “approved” items have NOT been used and the emergency use items have NOT been disclosed to their actual contents). Email from John Podesta and Hillary the Skank “If the public knew what we’ve been doing, they’d drag us through the streets.” AND RIGHTFULLY SO. Keep your guns, keep your chin up, stay vigilant. Resist the agenda and propaganda and the false flags.
midomac says
Thank you Gabe Kapler! Very cogent and inspiring post.
April white says
Please, please, please stop saying that mass shootings only happen in the US. It is untrue, just do some research on it and you will find a ton of info. https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-deadliest-mass-shootings-in-history.html
M. Iger says
Gabe, you’re turd. It’s unfortunate that in this country, you won’t be flushed. It would be a better place without you, and all those who’ve congratulated you on your “bravery.”
Thomas says
I am a veteran, and I fully support you. Thank you for what you wrote, it was very brave, as evidenced by many of the nasty and mean-spiritied comments left here. Stay strong!
Alan says
Say it!
Split Endz (@TRAPSTER1000) says
You’re right Gabe. Please pray for our world right now. Gun violence is real and it is all the world, not just America. We need to pray, please pray everyone and like Gabe we need to protest and stop supporting the flag until these politicians get their act right and together
Split Endz (@TRAPSTER1000) says
Let me add that abortion though is perfectly fine. Support our politicians in murdering millions of babies in the womb. I know I am a confused little girl but guns are bad, coat hangers good. I support protesting the flag if it is something that I don’t like but supporting it when abortion rights are at stake. I am so smart and you are so dumb. Bow down to your government fools.Rules for me, not for thee.
Richard Wills says
is there hammer violence, or may be car violence, maybe there is fist violence or knife violence. i gender identify as a “Threat” and my Pronouns are Try/Me
Ray says
Thank you for saying this today. Your honesty about how you feel is important and I hope more people follow your example.
Grandpa says
You say: “My father taught me to stand for the pledge of allegiance when I believed my country was representing its people well or to protest and stay seated when it wasn’t.”
I don’t believe you.
Ike D says
Appreciate you taking a stand
Dino says
Some random thoughts:
Please explain why Republicans have a gun fetish? I think it’s called little-dick syndrome. Same reason they have big Tonka trucks.
So there were lots of armed law enforcement officers STANDING IN THE HALLWAY while children were being murdered! What happened to all that fake Texas machismo? Pissing in their pants? Scared to move? Yeah, that’s what I thought?
There’s a slow movement building among young legislators that want to see a requirement for all Americans to have to take a civics-related test BEFORE they can vote. So all you idiotic knuckle-draggers will no longer be able to vote!
Richard Wills says
Can anyone explain why liberals are cowards? put liberal cops on duty and they wait 40 minutes to run in and protect children. cowards all of you. can anyone explain why liberals think criminals obey laws? Gun laws will only affect those that follow the law, leaving only the criminals armed and then my daughter cant defend her self against a group of thugs breaking into her house while living in her house miles away from any police station. Evil criminal dont follow the law and you are a cowards… i suggest you move because you wont get our guns.
Tony Ross says
“the ONLY country where these mass shootings take place”.
Wrong.
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/mass-shootings-by-country
If you don’t like the freedom you enjoy in this great nation…move
That’s the thing about the United States of America. You can leave and go to that imaginary country where you think life is better and you don’t have to be ashamed
Now, let’s talk about the root cause of why Ramos walked into an elementary school and killed 21 people. It wasn’t because he owned firearms. As you pointed out
Jenna Diane says
You are a true leader and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for speaking up. I hope you and your team will continue to use your position of power to influence the direction of our country.
John Sechrist says
Thank you, sir, for speaking up.
Thomas Hagedorn says
I am praying for the Chief of the Uvalde Schools Police District. Kapler instead has chosen to judge him and the other police officers who responded that day. He seems to follow the “ready, fire, aim” protocol for progressives who feel it is their duty to lecture the rest of us, like some modern-day Puritan scold. Has he ever faced death up close while wearing a police uniform? I have. I was placed in a situation that I should never have been in. I was unarmed and untrained for the situation. The person was wanted for felonious assault. I assumed he was armed. I froze. I was unable to move or even speak. That is why the police and military train, and train, and train again. When you are in a potentially deadly situation, a human being’s first reaction is to freeze, to deny that what you are seeing is real. Soldiers in combat for the first time sometimes have to be “forced out of the foxhole.” If you read about that police chief, he was born and raised in Uvalde, a small community. The wife of one of his officers was one of the person’s murdered. He must feel terrible. The terror of the incident must have either induced so much fear it overcame his training or caused him to make a terrible decision. I would also like to know if 911 relayed the calls from inside the classroom to him. Mr. Kapler, your comments are not helpful, insensitive, and self-serving. Just shut up and manage your boring games.
Dino says
There were 19 law enforcement officers standing in the hallway, listening to the shooter murdering all those children and teachers, for over 40 minutes, and NO ONE breached the door. The whole “good-guy-with-a-gun” straw man argument gets thrown out the window. There were 19 “good guys”, and yet nothing was done. Please stop “backing the blue” blindly, and look at the mistakes that were made objectively.
Richard Wills says
how about the Coward cop with a gun excuse… 40 minutes waiting with a gun and didnt do a damn thing… id run in there with a #2 if i had to so i could save children. if you think he was a good guy with a gun… your way more ignorant than i thought… they wouldnt know how to deal with a threat if it hit them in the face… they are cowards and so are you. punk
Tom says
Richard, talk is cheap. Have you ever stood face-to-face with a dangerous person who was likely armed with a deadly weapon? Have you ever served on a police force or in the military and understood the concept of the chain of command? Until you have faced death – I have twice – you are not capable of understanding what it is like. Yet, a lot of brave people in this country have faced death and run TOWARD the bullets, the fire, the exploding shells on our police forces and the military. Too many people have only experienced this in the movies, TV, or video games. Real life is entirely different. Kapler’s protest and post exposes both his ignorance and his arrogance. But, coming from the cesspool of San Francisco it doesn’t surprise me. No wonder so many people are leaving.
fo1cuw8W says
Apparently, you didn’t read my whole post or chose to ignore part of it. From what we know now (and more facts will come out), several horrendous mistakes were made, starting with the teacher who left the door open, possibly 911, and certainly the police Commander in charge at the scene. And, you seem to: 1) be incapable of any empathy for the police and 2) be willing to generalize from one situation – Uvalde – and apply it to all school/ mass shooting incidents. There are many, many instances where the “good guy with a gun” has saved lives.
Frank says
You self important jerk. Nobody cares what you think. You like many people who think they are so special just want attention and a pat on the back for being “so brave”. Please quit your job and leave this great country.
Adam says
Nice blog, keep it up!
SteveMc says
“Responsible gun owner” and ‘person who doesn’t want strong, common sense regulation of firearms’ is a contradiction in terms.
You people who love guns are your own worst enemies. If you want to keep them you should be the ones advocating loudly for reform and much, much stricter regulation – if you are truly a responsible gun owner you would not fear that. One day something so bad is going to happen that they do ‘come for your guns’ and rewrite that precious second amendment. For a lot of people that’s already happened, but not enough it seems sadly – there will be a tipping point though. Who knows, could even happen today. Could be happening right now.
Get ahead of it and you can get what you want (while saving lives, how wholesome). Keep digging your current hole with your ‘cold, dead hands’ crap and this only ends one way.
Andrew says
I am a veteran. I would lay down my life for Mr Kapler to exercise his constitutional right to not stand during the anthem. But, not standing for the National Anthem on Memorial Day is tone deaf at best and does absolutely nothing to help (and I am pretty sure his stance is not going to bring any more attention to this issue — there already a lot of it …. as there should be ; this is a complex decision wrapped around a simple concept. We have the right to bear arms).
Mr Kapler, you are an excellent baseball manager and make a living well in excess of 99% of the US population — if you really want to help then spend your money on gun education, or school security, or lobbying to amend the constitution , or improved access to mental health care or anything else that you believe might proffer a solution. Not standing for the anthem is stupid, functionless, offensive and divisive and is beneath you
Rob W says
This guy obviously has no idea there is a move to world wide government and armed Americans are the only thing standing in its way. I’m sure he’s a nice guy but wholly misguided by the msm. Turn that TV off and think for yourself.
MB Eaton says
Thank you for taking a stand. We need more public figures to do the same.
Gray Martin says
All of us here, on this vital topic of Freedom, honor, sensibility and accountability–we all are participating in freedom of voice, of individual expression, and mostly for the benefit of a better, more honorable and proud country! The focus is the suffering of innocent children and teachers, of all victims in the crossfire of rage. Gabe Kapler took the ultimate stance in this country, risking his reputation and economic security to express his care and concern for others; for you and yours, for me and mine! Agree or disagree, his concerns are shared by many fellow Americans and should be honored as equally as your voice should be heard. We, all of us, should seek a greater cause in this tragedy, to work together to improve the country and protect and enrich all its citizens.
Luc p says
Correct!
Michael Lock says
100% behind you Gabe on your patriotic stance. Tons of respect for your dad too.
ckc2000 says
GO FUCK YOURSELF YOU unAmerican piece of shit. Whoever you are.
John McDougall says
Protest on your own time. Your job is helping the Giants win ball games. Protest by doing your job better. In the meantime, I will protest your protest by not attending the games in person.
Douglas M. Day says
Before your success as manager of the 2021 Giants team, many baseball fans didn’t even know who you were. Now you’re making political statements from the dugout. The fans pay your salary, the fans pay your players’ salaries, the fans pay for the stadium overhead, the fans pay the high concession prices, the fans pay for their seats each game, and the fans stand for the National Anthem. Keep the big picture. This isn’t just about you.
Juan Daung says
good luck with your kneeling and anthem boycott. and also good luck looking to brandon, pelosi and gang for ending violence of any kind, any where. Democrats have been involved in more bloodshed at home and around the world—-from WWII, to vietnam, to Camp Koresh, I could spend all day showing you examples of your liberal friends mass murdering around the globe. If you’re going to sit in the dugout until your govt ends violence—–you’d be better served to not bother showing up at the ballpark. Go smoke weed on the golden gate bridge with flowers in your hair and a sign that says “make love not war”, cause pelosi aint gonna solve anything any more than the man in the moon
Richard Larson says
Sir, I don’t know if my comments will make it- but after 30 plus years, it pains me to see this- caveat… I love you from your time in Boston… I spent this weekend in cemeteries across Europe- I don’t think kneeling, or boycotting, our National Anthem is the way to get people to join your cause- which I think you put foreward in an articulate manner.
Sean says
I know you’re considering holding off on your anthem protest for memorial day. Might I suggest you sit during the anthem with your legs criss-crossed just like children sit in school. I think that would be a symbolic choice.
McKennis says
Loser like the rest of them. You don’t like this country go find another one. The anthem has nothing to do with the moment of silence. You are so full of yourself, maybe thank the people who gave their lives for this country so you can be what you are, a sub par baseball manager who is trying to make a name for himself since he can’t through actual baseball.
Jackie says
🧡Thank you so much for doing this!!!! 🧡
Actions speak louder than words. I was inspired by Steve Kerr’s passionate speech, but think he can do more.
I actually started a petition calling on EVERYONE associated with professional sports to stop playing until the Senate acts:
Cancel All Professional Sports Until Congress Passes Background Check for Gun Purchases
https://chng.it/22jsbmGrgZ
#whilegunsslaydontplay
Jackie says
But please keep playing sports in support of baby murder through abortion. I know I contradict myself but that is what Dems do. We want to tell others what to do but not change ourselves. Don’t you find it funny that 19 children getting killed makes us want to take away guns but millions killed through abortion is cool. Go Kap.
Jackie says
🧡Oh yeah I forgot to add these stupid little hearts to the last post. 🧡
Adam Vogt says
This is a long emotional way of saying, “Me, Me, Me!”
Hugh Jaynus says
Oh say can you see…….ME.
James says
If you didn’t move the needle, you definitely stirred the drink, Gabe. The variety of replies and the tone of the comments indicate we are a lot closer to civil war than being one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all. It seems to back up the point of the essay: America is in trouble, even if so many miss it. Oh say can’t we see?
James says
Let me add that the reason for this divide in our country is us going away from God. Abortion is murder. Yet the feed feed off of this terrible act. Mental health is bad also. Yet us Dems only try and take away liberties of Americans instead of solving the real problems. And you do not not help this divide by disrespecting the flag. High rentals rates, high insurance costs, and yet noobs like you are kneeling for the flag instead of being productive. Happy Memorial Day weekend to you if that even means anything to you.
steve says
While you have that right , I have a son that is buried in Arlington National Cemetery that served to give this right to you. The ungrateful and petulant attitude of professional sports is astounding and no you are not brave , brave is talking a roadside bomb and enemy fire as you do your job like my son did. The sacrifices my family has made goes back to the very founding of this nation, so no Mr Kapler you are not brave or honorable you are a media hack.
Victoria Hong says
I’m starting a Grassroots Viral Letter-Writing Campaign to support increased and affordable access to mental health services for young children and teens
Tragedy has inspired me to take action.
I am desperately asking for your support in assistance in spreading this viral letter writing campaign that I hope succeed to improve access to pediatric mental health services to our children where they are within the school districts and through organized medical care organizations like Kaiser Permanente. Won’t you please help me with this campaign so we can find hope within the grief and pain of the events in Ulvade and elsewhere and help our voice be heard? Thank you for your support and for spreading the word. ❤️
PLEASE SHARE!!!!
Want to change the world for the better with just one letter?
Please copy and paste and feel free to modify and SHARE this letter, and send via email, text, chat or in hard copy form via snail mail to your medical insurance provider and medical care organization and ALSO YOIR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
It’s time we as citizens and families MUST take ownership of the violence and mental health of our children, at risk youth and teens who are struggling in the midst of COVID pandemic and a nationwide crisis of violence.
Please join me in taking a stand and let’s get this letter writing campaign rolling with momentum.
Let’s spread this like wildfire and ignite change. We have the POWER at a nation of families and we are the CHANGE we want to occur in this world.
LETTER OF CONCERN REGARDING ACCESS TO PEDIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES WITHIN THE MEDICAL CARE SYSTEM AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS:
I am a Southern California Kaiser Permanent member and my Point-of-Care location is out of the Harbor City/South Bay Medical Center. The Lomita Psych facility is understaffed by Psychologists available for booking appointments. My son and our family have been waiting 4 months (since February) to be seen by a Psychologist for counseling services through Kaiser. My son is also a student within the Torrance Unified School District.
If Kaiser Permanente and the Torrance Unified School District are truly committed to preventing and educating the community and its members on the mental health aspect of GUN VIOLENCE AND CHILDHOOD AND TEEN ADDICTION, then Kaiser Permanente facilities in all states (and all other insurance and healthcare organizations NATIONWIDE) and the school districts within those communities MUST increase their budgets to allow the hiring of more qualified psychiatrists, psychologists and licensed clinical social workers and marriage and family therapists.
It’s an absolute shame that families early in crisis have to wait MONTHS to be seen by a certified and licensed mental health provider, ESPECIALLY for pediatric patients. It’s definitely a factor in why there has been so much decline in the mental health of our youth and children during the COVID pandemic, and why families are struggling even more to get the help the desperately need to SAVE THEIR CHILDREN’S LIVES.
Why is Kaiser paying their executive level administrators so much in salary and bonuses when it’s patients are literally dying because they are unable to access timely AND APPROPRIATE mental health services? Why is this the case ESPECIALLY for PEDIATRIC PATIENTS like my son who are so desperate for mental health services and yet have to WAIT LITERAL MONTHS in order to get an appointment booked.
I believe the high level executives that manage the psychiatric and mental health support offered to Kaiser Permanente members REALLY needs to a reality check for how totally understaffed, burnt-out and broken their psychiatric staffing and mental health support teams are in the light of the challenges of the last 2 years of pandemic life.
I beg of you as a compassionate organization dedicated to our community that you urge Kaiser Permanente and other medical organizations and insurance companies AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS to do the hard work and commit money, time, resources and manpower to the improvement of health of our families and the commitment to the “THRIVE” ideology.
Take a stand and put your money where your mouth is and change the system that you represent.
Victoria Hong
David says
You should be fired from your job, I’m so glad that I don’t watch or attend any professional sports with all of you over paid self centered dumb asses
Tom paine says
Weak Gabe. Kerr is going to the finals. That crap might play in the NBA, but not MLB. You’re gonna have a divided locker room. Enjoy 3rd place while you got a job. Maybe you and Kaplernick can carpool together around the country begging teams for a job.
MK Ottley says
Thank you, Gabe Kapler, for speaking truth to stupid, truth to power! It’s past time to allow the high priests of the NRA and the pro-gun lobby to sacrifice our children on the altar of the 2nd amendment!
Jimbo says
Grow up nutcase. You are never taking our guns away or a civil war you’ll have. Better think long and hard. Shits been stewing for years and it’s not about black and white this time. It’s about conservatives and progressive liberals. I laugh at the thought. Won’t stand a chance
pikmartin says
What rock are you living under??
MK Ottley says
My bad. My comment was stupid. Since I support abortion by voting Democrat, I have no place to judge the method of killing lives. I say guns are a bad choice but coat hangers are great. Silly me.
James King says
Mark Zuckerberg and his wife donated at least $400 million to two nonprofit organizations which distributed grants to state and local governments to help them conduct the 2020 election during the first year of the COVID-19, specifically mail-in ballots. The NRA donated only $4.2 million supporting Donald Trump and another $12.2 million opposing Joe Biden in the 2020 election.
Whosits McWhatsis says
Howbout you play baseball and leave the politics out of sports. Really glad I didn’t pony up for season tix this year. You’re all a little too VERY for my taste.
Jimbo says
You are a true communist liberal scumbag. Contrary to your nonsensical rambling this type of thing happens every day world wide. Remember the cars and trucks they use? Remember the knives and swords they use? Remember Charlie hedbo? Finland, Norway, Japan, etc etc etc. I could go on all day. As a lib who plays in Chicago, do you have an opinion about the weekly slaughter that goes on there including children? How about the crime and murders in democrat controlled cities daily, including San Francisco? Do you boycott playing in those cities due to them not prosecuting crimes and turning the jails into revolving doors and letting thug criminals walk right out? You are a fraud but at least we know what and who you are. You are a liberal progressive like the squad who hates this country. Guns don’t kill people. Evil people kill people. That’s what evil does and the tool by which they achieve is irrelevant. You as a liberal have been brainwashed into nothing short of taking all guns away, including law abiding citizens because the democrats want total control like the Chinese model. It’s why all of our own tech companies and defense contractors are over there taking chines money to design systems to completely control their population and squash any dissent, exactly what democrats and progressives loons want here. They’ve even suggested imprisonment or death to republicans or anyone who doesn’t go along with their twisted agenda or crap like you are doing. Now we know who you are and giant’s ownership should ponder keeping some coach on who is going to polarize their franchise like Colin kaepernick who is a pariah.
Luc p says
You clearly don’t know what communism is….
Keith Taylor says
Thank you Gabe for using your platform for good. As a military veteran, these types of weapons demand to be regulated. As a military member, I’d go to the armory to check out my weapon prior to that day’s training. When training was over, I’d have to clean it and check it back into the armory. As a well trained infantry soldier, if I’m required to undergo those sorts of restrictions, why wouldn’t civilians be required some sort of regulatory enforcement? It boggles the mind.
Dustin Hughes says
Yes, Keith, people should be trained. The accountability of firearms in the military has more to do with the inventory of government property. I appreciate your service this Memorial Day but your point is a bit loose on the edges.
Andrew W West says
Shall we change the team name to “Pussies” in honor of their Coach? It is delusional to think that disrespecting the America Flag actually accomplishes anything. There are 400 million guns in the US – 95% are in good hands and they are staying there. If you want to help, imprison criminals and treat mental illness. More children die of suicide than “mass shootings.” In fact, many things are much more dangerous – cancer, auto accident drivers, abusive parents, drunk driving and more. So, perhaps some focus is warranted. (For Coach: “warranted” means necessary.)
Tanner Gilmore says
Well put Andrew. Most people don’t know that more people are beat to death every year than shot. The number 1 cause of death last year was drug overdose, mostly from opioids and fentenyl, but for some reason nobody is talking about that.
Ben Colafrancesco says
I also forgot to mention that I use a lot of CAPITAL words because I have little man syndrome and want to make sure my stupid points are heard. Quite messed up I am.
Audrey says
Thank you. When elders can shop at grocery stores, when people can’t attend Bible study, when children can’t go to school without risking a mass shooting, we are not free. When we see this happen over and over and over again without change, we are not brave. We must remember we can be and then choose to be.
Alvin Mulins says
You don’t do anything about the carnage that goes on in our cities every day. You can protest any way you want but when you disrespect people who died defending your right to protest because you don’t like what goes on is weak and you are pathetic.
Paul Durenberger says
Gabe, First, thank you for caring. Second, if you would like to discuss ways to really focus on root causes of this type of violence, I am ready and willing to have a deep discussion. Almost 70% of mass shootings are done by people with domestic violence history or experienced DV.
Adverse childhood experiences (Ace’s) is a term used to summarize trauma’s impact on youth’s physical and mental health. When I heard the shooter “had a rough family life” and had a parent who was addicted to drugs, and “had been bullied”, it was clear the ACES impact cannot be ignored. I am open to an honest discussion if you are interested.
Larry says
🤡 I love adding these stupid little clowns. It it my way of saying Democrats like me are clowns.
Frank Gross says
secure the schools as we do banks, concert events (really), and politicians. I’ll add one more, for the politicians that lobby or try to further restrict gun ownership to law abiding citizens, let them go without armed security. the school security doesnt have to be government security. hell private security is better. just fund it with state taxes. states that dont want it, dont get it. one more thought. the record keeping is ass backwards. every gun purchased has detailed info on the buyer via background check. every gun legally sold must do this. however, I think it should be the other way around. if you are convicted of something which prohibits the ownership of a firearm, that gets reported into the database. if you are undergoing psychiatric treatment or suffer from mental health problems, that is reported. way easier to check a database of those who cant legally purchase something. probably more accurate as well. as we’ve seen after covid, dr’s really fear losing their license…. jmo. by the way, you dont stand during the national anthem outta respect for the government, you stand for the country and for those that serve and have served for the country. politicians are the ones you should show disrespect for, not the country itself.. BIG DIFFERENCE.
Dennis says
Ah yes, let’s make getting I to a classroom take 30 minutes waiting in line so someone power tripping can pat down every child walking into the school.
You do know all those places you listed have shootings in them?
Security guards are trained.
People barred from gun ownership are flagged on background checks, and guns can’t be tracked based on the rounds fired, at meant not in most cases.
I’ve served, you don’t stand out of respect for me, you stand out of respect for the country. I am not represented by the flag nor the anthem, the country is.
In short, your opinion is wrong both factually (background checks) and emotionally (let’s make schools like concerts). You really should broaden your knowledge base and read things outside of right wing media outlets who constantly lie (see FOX news lies displaying multiple overlaid pictures claiming Portland was burning to to ground during the 2020 Floyd protests). Please, do everyone a favor and think critically about what you are advocating before doing so.
Patrick Blanchette says
When your country is plagued with a crisis due to the sheer amount of guns, The brave thing to do is to stop participating in the problem. Give up your gun. Have some ball and take your chances. Most likely, you will never need it for protection anyway. Men who need a gun to feel safe are coward, plane and simple.
Anne Lewis says
All that is required for evil to prevail is for God men to do nothing. Uvalde magnifies the truth of this quote.
Anne Lewis says
*good
Kim says
I read this post back in May and was unable to put my words together as I was processing why little humans beings lost their lives for no reason. I was also trying to help my soon to be seniors cope with the – what? why? how? Instead of talking about college visits and summer plans; we spent the last few days talking about things I would never wish upon anyone. As I sit in my classroom right now, preparing for the new year, all I can think about is my grandfather. At age 14 he served in WW2. He would be heartbroken to see what is happening and would be worried about me every time I enter the building. I guarantee he would be devastated to know that his oldest grandchild has her metal softball bat and bear spray in her classroom for protection. But I know he is smiling up in heaven – he knows even at 48, his girl can still swing!