After every mass public shooting, it always seems like it’s conservatives calling for “thoughts and prayers,” and liberals blasting conservatives for “inaction” (and ironically, the opposite appears to be the case in Islamist attacks).
At least in the case of combating Islamic terrorism, few propose severely reducing our constitutional rights to fight it. The same can’t be said in the case of passing gun control, and that’s probably why we never see significant gun control after a mass public shooting – because the American public doesn’t think it’s worth the cost.
Even some Democrats must realize this – because a leaked email from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee indicates as much. According to Rare,
Though they publicly attack Republicans who offered the same, the leaked email warned House Democrats to avoid coming out in favor of gun control in the immediate aftermath of the mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas and to instead offer “thoughts and prayers.”
The memo in question was reportedly sent by DCCC regional press staffer Evan Lukaske and acquired by the Huffington Post, who posted screenshots of the message.
The day after the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting, the DCCC said “stay strong and keep faith” in a message to “those affected by the senseless tragedy in Las Vegas.”
They would not tweet anything about gun control until October 24th, when they hit House Majority Leader Paul Ryan for failing to ban bump stocks, something that even the NRA supported in the wake of the shooting.
By their measure, the DCCC was quicker to “politicize” the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Just over one week after 17 died, the DCCC tweeted “When kids are killed, they send thoughts and prayers. It’s unacceptable. #GunReformNow.”
The entire DCCC team sends our love to those affected by the senseless tragedy in Las Vegas. Stay strong and keep faith in one another.
— DCCC (@dccc) October 2, 2017
Refusal to even bring a bump stock ban to a vote shows how deep in the gun lobby’s pocket the GOP is. Despicable. https://t.co/kkkZlbKZc4
— DCCC (@dccc) October 24, 2017
-When Rs want to give billionaires tax breaks, they pass laws
-When Rs want to let companies pollute our air & water, they pass laws
-When Rs want to restrict women's rights, they pass lawsBut when kids are killed, they send thoughts & prayers. It's unacceptable. #GunReformNow pic.twitter.com/VghIKlZdeh
— DCCC (@dccc) February 22, 2018
After the deadly Parkland high school shooting, Democrats wasted no time in accusing those who disagree with them of wanting “dead children.”
Maybe if they could propose a single gun control regulation that makes sense, they would’ve gotten what they wanted already.
Are you surprised Democrats have found a strange new respect for thoughts and prayers? Tell us your thoughts below!
