Twitter is calling out pro-NRA politicians who tweeted thoughts and prayers after the Florida shooting
The deadliest shooting of 2018 so far took place yesterday, February 14th, in Parkland, Florida. After 17 people were killed and 23 injured in the tragedy, the public reacted with horror, outrage, and sorrow, including politicians. But some Twitter users called out pro-NRA politicians who offered their “thoughts and prayers,” and argued that their support of the lobbying group had enabled gun violence.
Florida Governor Rick Scott, a Republican, offered his “thoughts and prayers” to the victims and their families. Republican Senator Marco Rubio described the massacre as a tragedy that “you pray never comes.” But both of these politicians have long histories of supporting the NRA. During a presidential primary debate in 2015, Rubio called strict gun laws “ineffective,” saying that they would “infringe on the rights of law-abiding people and do nothing to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people.”
Scott, who has an A+ rating from the NRA’s Political Victory Fund, brushed aside questions about policy change in the wake of the shooting, saying that “there’s a time” to discuss mental health care and gun control.
Just spoke to Broward School Superintendent. Today is that terrible day you pray never comes.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 14, 2018
Just spoke with @POTUS about shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. My thoughts and prayers are with the students, their families and the entire community. We will continue to receive briefings from law enforcement and issue updates.
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) February 14, 2018
Twitter users were quick to point out the hypocrisy of politicians like Scott and Rubio.
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Profile in Courage: Marjory Stoneman Douglas H.S. coaches & teachers didn’t hesitate to step in front of bullets to save students.
Profile in Cowardice: FL Republicans Marco Rubio & Rick Scott are avoiding questions on gun laws that aided the killer — not those heroic educators.
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) February 15, 2018
governor rick scott will not commit to talking about gun control in the wake of the parkland shooting.
this will happen again. and again. and again. and again.
— Marisa Kabas (@MarisaKabas) February 15, 2018
Terribly sad. Incompetent or evil? It doesn't matter anymore cause these NRA owned Republicans & their Russian money buddies are murdering our children & they all have to go. @FLGovScott lets people die inhumane deaths in old folks homes too so he's extra special. #BlueWave2018 https://t.co/C8Ui0kX2mw
— Tom Arnold (@TomArnold) February 15, 2018
According to Politico, Republicans in Congress received almost $6 million in donations from the NRA during the 2016 election cycle, while Congressional Democrats netted $106,000 from the gun advocacy group. As more politicians tweeted their condolences, Twitter users continued to call out the NRA’s biggest supporters.
This person waved a musket over his head at an NRA convention in 2014. He has a 93 percent rating with the NRA and does not support the bare minimum of gun reform that would protect children. But he has thoughts and prayers to offer. https://t.co/bVDP5d7z9Z
— Joy-Ann (Pro-Democracy) Reid 😷 (@JoyAnnReid) February 15, 2018
In the 2015-2016 election cycle alone, GOP candidates took $17,385,437 from the NRA. https://t.co/mhyQZ9vtli
— Bess Kalb (@bessbell) February 14, 2018
Let's be honest: MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO TAKE BLOOD MONEY FROM @NRA AND VOTE DOWN BILLS TO MAKE GUNS HARDER TO GET **DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN**
— igorvolsky (@igorvolsky) February 15, 2018
President Donald Trump has also received money from the NRA. According to The Hill, the president received $31.2 million from the organization to help fund his presidential campaign. Like other pro-NRA politicians, the president offered prayers to those affected by the Parkland shooting, but failed to mention guns, in any way, shape, or form, in his statement.
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/963878055969198080
Many argued that Trump needed to address gun laws.
Trump's remarks are eloquent between the lines. He says nothing about gun control, nothing about common sense reform…and therefore reaffirms that he is in the pocket of the NRA and ally of the gun lobby.
— David Rothkopf (@djrothkopf) February 15, 2018
Trump makes no mention of gun safety reforms during presidential address.
Context: In 2016, the NRA spent $11.4 million in campaign ads for Donald Trump (and $19.8 million in ads against Hilary Clinton): https://t.co/6S6sRYJb85— alexwagner (@alexwagner) February 15, 2018
1) Press conference: Reminder that Donald Trump took $30M from the @NRA – more than any other outside donor contributed to his campaign.
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) February 15, 2018
In the wake of any tragedy, mourning for the victims and their families is a natural response. But school shootings are an epidemic in the United States — in 2018 alone, there have been 18 school shootings. The Florida school shooter was able to legally purchase the AR-15 rifle he used to carry out the massacre. To end gun violence, we need to start by addressing gun laws that embolden people to be violent.
