Rep. Bowman Calls for Action on Gun Violence After Deadly Nashville School Shooting

On Wednesday evening, a heated exchange between Reps. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) took place in the hallways of the Capitol, two days after a deadly shooting at a school in Nashville, Tennessee. The confrontation was sparked by Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX) taking issue with Rep. Tim Burchett’s (R-TN) acknowledgment that Congress won’t take any steps to address gun violence.

Rep. Bowman, a former educator and middle school principal from the Bronx, expressed his frustration with the lack of action from Republican lawmakers. He referenced a crime scene photo of a little girl sobbing as she looked out the window of a school bus outside The Covenant School, which was the site of the shooting.

“We’re not going to fix it,” Rep. Burchett said in response to the shooting, which left three adults and three 9-year-old children dead. Rep. Bowman responded by saying, “They won’t do anything to save the lives of our children at all.” He then called on Congress to take action to prevent future tragedies, saying, “And let them explain that all the way up until Election Day on 2024.”

The exchange between Reps. Bowman and Massie highlighted the stark divide between Democrats and Republicans on the issue of gun control. While Democrats continue to push for stricter gun laws, Republicans have largely remained silent on the issue.

The shooting in Nashville is yet another reminder of the need for Congress to take action to prevent gun violence. Until lawmakers come together to pass meaningful legislation, the safety of our children will remain at risk.