This is not the way America is supposed to work. Our disagreements should never be settled with a bullet. This is not the way our country practices politics.

Regardless of one’s political beliefs, one should be abhorred by what happened to former President Trump. We should all extend our wishes for a full and speedy recovery.

We do not assassinate political rivals. That happens in countries where the people do not understand the nature of freedom. Our differences are settled with ballots, not bullets.

I hope that this incident will spark a frank and honest discussion of gun violence in this country. Think about this. If a person surrounded by heavily armed local and state police and Secret Service Agents can still be a victim of gun violence, what does that say about the “protections” of guns.

If the discussion is only going to be two polar opposites—take away all guns on one side or you’ll have to pry it from my cold, dead fingers on the other—it will go nowhere.

And suppose the country, as the recent past seems to demonstrate, now falls into nonsense conspiracy theories or tasteless jokes about marksmanship training. In that case, we will have lost an opportunity for a bit of self-introspection.

No one, NO ONE has the right to alter the course of American politics by violence. While politics has always been a blood sport in this country, it is a figurative one.

I’ve been clear about my feelings toward Mr. Trump and his policies. I want him to be defeated by the vote of the American people. However, if the voters choose to re-elect Mr. Trump, we all must accept the results.

Do I believe that would be a mistake? Certainly. A monumental mistake. But the only bigger mistake we can make as a country would be to accept the assassination of political rivals as a sound method for resolving differences.

If this nation does not come together to universally condemn this heinous act, our future is in jeopardy.

Last night, while the news of the attempt on the former President’s life was developing, I went to an Arizona Diamondbacks game. I noticed something different when they began the traditional singing of the national anthem. Much of the crowd started singing along. Usually, one might hear a few voices join in, but this was clearly different.

Now, it is reasonable to assume the crowd would reflect the nation and there would be supporters of both former President Trump and President Biden there.

I think, instinctively, Americans know political violence is not the way. Let’s hope our differences continue to be how we compromise and succeed and not lead us to our demise.