Grand Rapids Mayor Calls for 'Shaming' of Gun Owners

LaGrand says gun owners should feel 'ashamed' and criticizes police tactics

Feb. 24, 2026 at 9:10pm

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Democratic Mayor David LaGrand of Grand Rapids, Michigan, claimed during a community forum that people should start 'shaming' gun owners, saying that gun owners 'should be ashamed of yourself.' LaGrand also criticized the police department's use of dogs to pursue and subdue suspects, suggesting drones could be used instead.

Why it matters

LaGrand's comments about shaming gun owners and criticizing police tactics have sparked controversy, with the NRA expected to respond. The remarks come after a deadly police shooting in Grand Rapids, raising questions about the mayor's approach to public safety and gun rights.

The details

During a regularly-scheduled 'Mayor Monday' forum, LaGrand said that 'nobody gardens with a gun' and that guns are 'for killing human beings.' He argued that gun owners 'should be ashamed' of themselves, similar to how he believes people who smoke should feel ashamed. LaGrand also criticized the police department's use of dogs to pursue suspects, suggesting drones could be used instead.

  • The forum took place on Monday, February 24, 2026, after a deadly police shooting of Da-Quain Johnson on Wednesday.

The players

David LaGrand

The Democratic mayor of Grand Rapids, Michigan, who made the controversial comments about shaming gun owners.

Da-Quain Johnson

The individual who was killed in a deadly police shooting in Grand Rapids on Wednesday, which prompted the mayor's forum.

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What they’re saying

“Nobody gardens with a gun, right? Nobody changes their tire with a gun. What they're for is killing human beings and so it's really hard. I think as a community we have to start having some shaming around gun possession.”

— David LaGrand, Mayor of Grand Rapids

“I think if you own a gun, you should be ashamed of yourself, and you should really do some self-reflection. And I think that's, I, I just see so much more harm just like cigarettes. I see so much harm, more harm done than benefit.”

— David LaGrand, Mayor of Grand Rapids

What’s next

The NRA is expected to respond to LaGrand's comments criticizing gun ownership.

The takeaway

LaGrand's remarks about shaming gun owners and criticizing police tactics have sparked controversy, raising questions about his approach to public safety and gun rights in Grand Rapids.