After mass shootings in Texas and Ohio, Apple CEO Tim Cook called for lawmakers to come together to resolve the problem of gun violence.
“I’m heartbroken about what’s happening in my country,” Cook wrote on Twitter. “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results. It’s time for good people with different views to stop finger pointing and come together to address this violence for the good of our country.”
I’m heartbroken about what’s happening in my country. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results. It’s time for good people with different views to stop finger pointing and come together to address this violence for the good of our country.
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) August 4, 2019
The two mass shootings — which happened within hours of each other over the weekend at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, and outside a bar in Dayton, Ohio — left 29 people dead. A further 52 people suffered injuries in the murderous attacks. The killings renewed calls for gun control as survivors grieved the sickening loss of life.
Tim Cook talks gun control
Sunday’s tweets marked the second time in a week that Cook shared his thoughts on gun violence. Last week, Cook tweeted condolences after a deadly mass shooting at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in Northern California.
Cook also discussed gun control last year during a commencement address at his alma mater, Duke University. During his speech, Cook praised the “fearless” Parkland, Florida, students who “refuse to be silent about the epidemic of gun violence, and have rallied millions to their cause.”
Apple previously made other gun-related moves under Cook’s leadership as well. Back in 2016, the company replaced the gun emoji with a water pistol. This led the way for other tech companies to make the change as well.
Cook mainly uses Twitter to promote Apple. But he also chimes in on political issues from time to time. (A Democrat supporter, Cook was actually considered as a possible running mate to Hillary Clinton in 2016.)
In this case, it will be interesting to see if Apple uses its considerable resources to more heavily promote the contentious subject of gun control.
