Representatives Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) engaged in a heated debate about gun control in front of a number of onlookers.
Bowman exited the House floor on March 29 and urged reporters to continue questioning Republican members about their stances on the topic of weapons and shootings, accusing the GOP of being in the pocket of the gun lobby, for not backing gun legislation in the aftermath of March 27’s school massacre in Nashville, Tennessee.
The lawmaker also repeatedly called Republicans cowards and told journalists not to talk to Democrats about gun control and safety in schools since they weren’t in control of the House of Representatives.
“Don’t even talk to us. Ask them,” Bowman said. “They’re cowards! They’re all cowards! They won’t do anything to save the lives of our children at all. Cowards!” Bowman said.
New York Democratic House candidate Jamaal Bowman greets supporters in Yonkers, N.Y., on June 23, 2020. (Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)“Question them, force them to respond to the question, ‘Why the hell don’t you do anything to save America’s children?’ And let them explain that all the way up until 2024.”
Bowman’s ire was turned toward Massie when, after passing the knot of people, Massie doubled back to say that there has never been a school shooting where teachers were allowed to carry firearms.
The Republican also asked Bowman if he wanted to sign onto his bill, seeming to refer to his repeal of gun-free zones at schools.
Bowman responded: “Carry guns? More guns lead to more death. Look at the data. You’re not looking at any data.”
He also repeatedly asked whether Massie had ever worked in a school.
Bowman discussed his 20 years of experience in schools. “I was in cafeterias protecting kids every day of my career.”
At one point during the interaction, Massie said, “You’re just screaming at me,” as he walked away from Bowman, who had followed him as he addressed reporters.
Massie stated, “We have guns here to protect us, and he doesn’t believe that kids should have somebody to protect them,” Massie said.
The Kentucky Republican responded to a video of the exchange circulating on Twitter, saying in a tweet, “He wanted to discuss solutions to school shootings, but when I offered a solution he began shouting.
“When he asked for data, I gave him data, but then he just shouted more. Bring facts. There’s never been a school shooting in the hundreds of schools that allow staff to carry.”
Massie previously worked to pass legislation that would repeal the Federal Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 via his “Safe Students Act,” which Massie seemed to reference when speaking to Bowman.
“Gun-free zones are ineffective and make our schools less safe. Since 1950, 98 percent of mass public shootings have occurred in places where citizens are banned from having guns,” Rep. Massie said in his April 2022 press release about the legislation.
“Banks, churches, sports stadiums, and many of my colleagues in Congress are protected with firearms. Yet children inside the classroom are too frequently left vulnerable.”