Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) confronted Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday over his accusation that “coward” Republicans are “gutless” and are responsible for schoolchildren being murdered.
Following the close of the evening votes, lawmakers left the House and Bowman stopped at the area where reporters gathered to shout at his Republican colleagues.
They’re cowards. They’re all cowards. They won’t do anything to save our children’s lives, Bowman screamed.
Massie challenged Bowman while the other legislators ignored him.
Bowman was informed by Massie that “there had never been a school shooting in a school that allowed teachers to carry. ”
Bowman shouted, “Carry guns?” More guns equal more deaths. Bowman shouted, “Look at all the data!” You aren’t looking at any data! ”
Bowman who got closer to Massie’s face accused him of “carrying water in support of the gun lobby.” He also argued that states with legal open carry have “more death.” He did not, however, provide any data to prove his claim. Instead, he just shouted over Massie each time the Republican lawmaker tried engaging with him.
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Bowman repeatedly asked Massie if he’d ever worked in a school like his. Bowman repeatedly asked Massie if he had ever worked in a similar school to Massie.
Massie was finally able to make his point. Bowman then left.
He said that schoolchildren should have the same protection as members of Congress. He was referring specifically to armed security. School campuses have never been attacked.
Massie is correct: Although scientific evidence is inconclusive that school campuses with armed security increase safety, Massie has the right idea. Mass shootings have never occurred in schools with teachers who were armed.
Killers often pick schools as “soft targets”, places where guns are prohibited. The Covenant School was selected by the Nashville attacker partly because it provided less security than other targets.
Bowman celebrated his outburst on social media by attacking Republicans again.
“Republicans won’t do S*** when it comes to gun violence, but try to tell me to calm down. NO. We can’t calm down. People are dying every day while we wait,” he said on Twitter.
Republicans won’t do SHIT when it comes to gun violence, but try to tell me to calm down.
NO.
We can’t calm down. People are dying everyday while we wait. pic.twitter.com/38mYYW9cgs
— Congressman Jamaal Bowman (@RepBowman) March 29, 2023
