Christian Pulisic declined to re-enter the debate about America’s gun situation ahead of Chelsea ’s friendly on Wednesday against Charlotte FC.
The Blues are continuing to tour the US at a time when the country has been rocked by a wave of mass shootings. And during the Las Vegas leg of Chelsea’s tour there was chaos at two hotels where guests panicked after rumours of an active shooter on Saturday night.
Police eventually contained the situation and confirmed the rumour was false. Pulisic was also among the US Men’s National team members who signed a letter to Congress calling on gun controls in the wake of shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde.
But he sidestepped the issue when asked about it here in Charlotte. It is understood that neither Pulisic nor Chelsea thought it was the right time for him to comment on the subject again and risk entering a US political debate while on pre-season tour with his club.
Pulisic spoke on the issue back in June after the USMNT sent a letter calling on Congress to pass gun control legislation. “I hope you guys can all realise why we did it,” Pulisic told reporters. He added that “anything that we can do in trying to take action” was worth doing. “I think people can say ‘It’s not the guns, it’s the people,’ but we have to start somewhere. And this was where we wanted to start.”
A report here in the US earlier this week highlighted systemic failings as nearly 400 police officers in Uvalde failed to prevent a gunman killing 19 kids and two teachers.
Following the Uvalde shooting tennis star Coco Gauff followed up her semi-final victory at the French Open to call for the end of gun violence and to urge gun reform.
"It's important, just as a person in the world, regardless of tennis player or not. I think, for me, it was just especially important just being in Europe and being where I know people globally around the world are for sure watching," she said.
"I think that this is a problem in other parts of the world, but especially in America, it's a problem that's, frankly, been happening over some years, but obviously now it's getting more attention. But for me, it's been an issue for years.
"For me, it's kind of close to home. I had some friends that were a part of the Parkland shooting. I remember watching that whole experience like pretty much firsthand, seeing and having friends go through that whole experience. Luckily, they were able to make it out of it. I just think it's crazy, I think I was maybe 14 or 13 when that happened, and still nothing has changed.
"I think that was just a message for the people back at home to watch and for people who are all around the world to watch. Hopefully, it gets into the heads of people in office to hopefully change things."
NBA coach Steve Kerr also issued a passionate plea for change in a speech that went viral on social media.
