On the minds of Mississippi voters: Gun control, mental health, government intrusiveness and racial divide

National headlines from April to June ranged from accusations about President Donald Trump’s relationship with a porn star to his international policies and foreign relations, but the topic that resonated most in East Mississippi was school shootings and its relationship to gun control and mental health. Health care, the size of the government and the country’s racial divide were also among the topics raised when The Meridian Star asked area residents about the political topics of most interest to them. The Meridian Star is conducting grassroots interviews four times each year to measure the mood of local voters. The project is being mirrored in communities across the country served by 100 or so CNHI newspapers in similar-sized communities from Florida to Iowa, from New Hampshire to Texas. Jim Brock / The Meridian Star Keaton Jones, 19, of Meridian, is concerned about gun control and mental health issues following mass shootings this year at schools in Parkland, Florida and Sante Fe, Texas. Keaton Jones, 19, of Meridian, was one of the East Mississippi residents who said gun control was number one on his list. “Gun control, easily, especially with what happened in Santa Fe,” Jones said. “I feel like things need to be changed.” Jones said citizens should be at least 21 before they can legally purchase a firearm, and stricter background checks should also be put in place. And while there are other issues such as gun-show loopholes and minors obtaining their parents’ firearms, something has to be done, […]

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