'We have to make the doors lock better': Vance discusses school shootings at VP debate

At the CBS News Vice Presidential Debate Tuesday, nominees Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. JD Vance discussed gun control policy.

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has made reducing gun violence a key part of her campaign while highlighting that both she and Walz own guns.

Firearms constitute the leading cause of death among children and teens, as the moderator pointed out. Walz's and Vance's exchanges turned poignant at times, as the candidates shared their concerns over their own kids at risk of gun violence. But Vance, who opposes most gun control legislation, got the first question on how to curb mass shootings and whether parents should be held accountable.

Here is what he had to say:

Debate live coverage: JD Vance, Tim Walz battle over abortion rights, health care

Vance: 'We have to make the doors lock better'

In a common refrain throughout the debate, Vance blamed gun violence on immigration issues at the border.

But in a proposed solution to school shootings, he said that schools should increase their security.

"I don't want my kids to go to school in a school that feels unsafe or where there are visible signs of security, but I unfortunately think that we have to increase security in our schools," Vance said. "We have to make the doors lock better. We have to make the doors stronger. We've got to make the windows stronger, and of course, we've got to increase school resource officers."

Walz: 'We have a responsibility to our kids to figure this out'

In his rebuttal, Walz said, "Do you want your schools hardened to look like a fort?"

Walz also touted his record in Minnesota passing enhanced background checks while selling firearms.

As Harris has done on the campaign trail, Walz raised the fact that he is a hunter and a gun owner, countering the idea that someone supporting background checks would want to take people's guns away.

"We understand that the Second Amendment is there, but our first responsibility is to our kids to figure this out," he said.

Watch the VP debate:

You can watch the replay of the CBS News Vice Presidential Debate from Tuesday, Oct. 1 on CBS or simulcast on www.usatoday.com .

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'We have to make the doors lock better': Vance discusses school shootings at VP debate