‘Too many people losing their lives’: Liam Hendriks blast US gun laws
One of Australia’s biggest sporting exports has slammed the US’ gun laws after yet another mass shooting event rocked America.
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Aussie Major League baseball player Liam Hendriks has won plenty of new fans in the US after taking aim at the nation’s gun laws following a shooting in Chicago.
Six people were killed and 26 injured when a shooter opened fire during Independence Day celebrations in the Chicago.
The shooter was arrested after a manhunt later in the day.
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It was another dark day for the US, with shootings becoming all too common.
President Joe Biden released a statement saying he and First Lady Jill Biden were “shocked by the senseless gun violence that has yet again brought grief to an American community on this Independence Day”.
Western Australian-born Chicago White Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks called for change after yet another mass shooting event.
Hendricks, who was ranked the fifth highest paid Aussie athlete by The Daily Telegraph earlier this year in the second year of his three-year $A75m contract, the biggest for a relief pitcher in MLB history, had finally had enough.
Pointing to Australia’s reaction to the 1996 Port Arthur massacre in which 35 people were killed before the federal government initiated a gun buyback scheme and tightened gun laws, Hendriks said something needed to change.
“It’s baffling to me coming over,” Hendriks said. “It (gun violence) is what America’s known for. There are a lot of things that are good over here but you look at the negatives and it’s a complete …
“I can walk into a store as a non-American and buy a handgun in certain states. And that baffles me. I had to take a driving test when I was over here. I won’t have to take a test if I want to get a gun. That’s stupid. Whoever thought that was a great idea was an idiot.
“We, as an Australian, dealt with it when we had a mass shooting and when the mass shooting happened, the government came in and said ‘yeah, we can’t do this, we’re going to do a buyback program’. We’re going to buy back all the guns for a fair price.
“All of a sudden, suicide rates dropped drastically, our gun related homicides dropped infinitely. And it’s pretty much something that’s kept going. You can still get access to guns in Australia. You go through gun clubs, but there are a lot more stipulations on it. Protection is not a good enough reason to get a gun.”
Hendriks is a two-time All-Star and two-time MLB first team players as well as twice the American League reliever of the year.
It wasn’t all from Hendriks either as he called for change.
“I think the access to the weaponry that is being used in these things – something needs to change,” Hendriks said. “Something needs to be done. Something needs to happen because it’s way too many people losing their lives.
“It’s not only about the people that are losing their lives. It’s the families of them. It’s the tragedy that they go through, an entire community, when people are concerned about leaving the house, concerned about doing the day-to-day things of going to work.
“We really need to reflect on what’s going on. I don’t think enough is being done. There are two sides. The two sides need to meet somewhere in the middle and figure this out because there are too many people dying and there’s no excuse to be on this side or that side.
“At some point things need to get done. It’s getting to the point where civilisation may be ending due to the fact there are two different sides, something needs to change, something needs to happen and it needs to happen quick.”
Audacy Sports Podcast host Cody Decker tweeted: “Liam Henricks for President”.
Former NBA star Rex Chapman said: “Liam Hendriks has something to say … Should be required viewing.”
American journalist Seth Mnookin wrote: “Where do I sign up for the Liam Hendriks fan club?”
Canberra Times sports reporter Melanie Dinjaski added: “Liam Hendriks (Aussie baseball legend playing for Chicago White Sox) absolutely nails it”.
The Australia’s Peter Lalor said: “Liam Hendriks doing a bit of Australian straight talking to the Americans. Stand by for that mad Tucker, Carlson, to denounce his common sense ..”.
The saddest part of Hendricks’ comments come in the beginning when he says “that’s what America is known forâ€
— Adam Patrick (@Str8_Cash_Homey) July 5, 2022
Almost every country around the world feels similarly and it’s incredibly disappointing https://t.co/CotROT7Z7t
The comments came after the White Sox consulted with MLB about a possible postponement of the contest and held a moment of silence before playing their home game Monday against Minnesota.
Chicago also called off post-game fireworks.
With AFP
Originally published as ‘Too many people losing their lives’: Liam Hendriks blast US gun laws
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