Rep. Jamaal Bowman Gets Heated over Gun Violence
Rep. Jamaal Bowman Gets Heated over Gun Violence
A heated debate transpired in a corridor of the Capitol yesterday. Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York had quite a bit to say regarding the Nashville mass shooting that took place two days prior.
"Cowards, each and every one of them! They lack the courage to protect our kids' lives. Cowards," he exclaimed to nearby reporters.
As Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie walked past, he asked Bowman what the commotion was about. An irate Bowman replied, "Gun violence!"
"You know, school shootings have never occurred in schools that permit teachers to carry firearms," Massie remarked.
The exchange occurred not long after the tragic Nashville school shooting on Monday, where three students and three staff members, all aged nine, lost their lives.
Bowman's fury intensified, linking increased gun possession to higher death rates and accusing Massie of pandering to the gun lobby. Although Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland tried to mediate, he eventually gave up and left. Bowman urged Massie to examine the data, claiming that states with open carry laws experience more fatalities. Massie advised Bowman to calm down, sparking Bowman's impassioned response: "Calm down? Children are dying!"
In December 2021, US Rep. Thomas Massie drew ire for tweeting a picture of his family brandishing firearms in front of a Christmas tree, mere days after the devastating Michigan school shooting that claimed the lives of four teenagers. With the caption "Merry Christmas! P.S. Santa, please bring ammo," the Kentucky Republican's tweet displayed everyone posing with various guns.
Alternatively, Bowman has a background in education, having worked as a teacher, public school founder, and principal for a decade. His firsthand experience with children places him in a unique position within Congress. This suggests that the legislative body could benefit from more individuals like Bowman who possess practical knowledge in child-related situations, as opposed to Massie, whose affinity for flaunting his and his children's weaponry seems excessive.