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A shooting at Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee that left three children and three adults dead has reignited the gun control debate in the United States. The incident was the 129th mass shooting in the country so far this year, according to reports.
The View co-host Joy Behar criticized Tennessee Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn for her reaction to the shooting. Blackburn had asked her Twitter followers to "join" her and her husband "in prayer for those affected" but Behar dismissed the sentiment, considering how much money the senator had taken from the National Rifle Association (NRA).
You can see Blackburn's tweet below.
\u201cChuck & I are heartbroken to hear about the shooting at Covenant School in Nashville.\n \nMy office is in contact with federal, state, & local officials, & we stand ready to assist.\n \nThank you to the first responders working on site. Please join us in prayer for those affected.\u201d— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@Sen. Marsha Blackburn) 1679935378
Blackburn is ranked 13th on the list of senators who have received the most money from the NRA, having accepted over $1.3 million in donations, according to Behar. The host called on people to "follow the money" and suggested that those who profit from the sale of guns are responsible for the high number of gun deaths in the country.
Footage of Behar's remarks was shared on Twitter by right-wing columnist Nicholas Fondacaro, who suggested Behar was espousing "dangerous rhetoric" by suggesting Blackburn is "paid to ignore gun deaths in her state."
You can hear what Behar said in the video below.
\u201cDangerous rhetoric: Joy Behar says Republicans will "do nothing" about mass shootings because "it's all about the money" to them. \n"They make a lot of money off of children's deaths."\nShe targets TN Sen. Marsha Blackburn and suggests she's paid to ignore gun deaths in her state.\u201d— Nicholas Fondacaro (@Nicholas Fondacaro) 1680015899
Behar said:
“You know, Marsha Blackburn is a senator from Tennessee. She, of course, sent out her thoughts and prayers. She is 13th on a list of senators who received the most money from the NRA. She received over $1.3 million in donations, while representing a state with 1,273 gun deaths a year."
"OK, follow the money.”
Behar added that politicians like Blackburn are more concerned with targeting "wokeness" than they are with children dying in mass shootings:
"All these people who are selling guns, they make a lot of money off of children’s deaths apparently, in this country. They’re worrying about you know, other people, books, bologna items. This, they will not do anything about.”
Many have echoed Behar's sentiments and leveled more criticism at Blackburn.
\u201c@MarshaBlackburn I hope the $1.3 million you got from the NRA was worth it. \n\nhttps://t.co/k8YJkoJ3Ra #VoteYouOut\u201d— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@Sen. Marsha Blackburn) 1679935378
\u201c@MarshaBlackburn Their blood is on your hands, Marsha\u201d— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@Sen. Marsha Blackburn) 1679935378
\u201c@MarshaBlackburn Please let us, your constituents, know when you and Chuck\u2019s hearts are broken enough to lead to action dear Senator. Thanks.\u201d— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@Sen. Marsha Blackburn) 1679935378
\u201c@MarshaBlackburn Shame on you. You could help fix it, but you're part of the problem.\u201d— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@Sen. Marsha Blackburn) 1679935378
\u201c@MarshaBlackburn Reminder: Marsha Blackburn has accepted over $1.3 million in donations from the NRA\u201d— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@Sen. Marsha Blackburn) 1679935378
\u201c@MarshaBlackburn Fire up those thoughts & prayers because you're not willing to do anything real.\u201d— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@Sen. Marsha Blackburn) 1679935378
\u201c@MarshaBlackburn did the NRA send you this tweet template? is it saved in your clipboard?\u201d— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@Sen. Marsha Blackburn) 1679935378
\u201c@MarshaBlackburn You're not heartbroken. You're emboldened. This is acceptable collateral damage to you, a "Christian" person.\u201d— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@Sen. Marsha Blackburn) 1679935378
As always, the shooting has sparked anger and frustration among those who advocate for stricter gun control measures, including deeper background checks and age restrictions. However, the topic has also become a polarizing issue in the country, with some politicians and organizations vehemently opposing any efforts to limit access to firearms.
Behar's frustration is understandable, given the lack of progress on gun control measures in the country. Despite repeated calls for action, lawmakers have failed to take significant steps to address the issue.
While stricter gun control measures may not eliminate all gun violence in the country, they could help to reduce the number of mass shootings and other gun-related incidents. However, until lawmakers are willing to put aside their differences and work together to find solutions, the problem is likely to persist.