Kentucky Republican Representative Thomas Massie was harshly criticized after he tweeted a family photo in which he and six family members each brandished a military-style weapon in front of a Christmas tree.
Massie's tweet came just days after a mass shooting occurred at Oxford High School in Oxford Township, Michigan.
In it, Massie asked for Santa Claus to "please bring ammo."
Merry Christmas! 🎄
ps. Santa, please bring ammo. 🎁 pic.twitter.com/NVawULhCNr
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) December 4, 2021
Last week, James and Jennifer Crumbley, the parents of school shooter Ethan Crumbley, were arrested following an intense manhunt and charged with four counts each of involuntary manslaughter.
The Crumbleys had purchased the handgun used in the shooting as a Christmas gift for their son on Black Friday and stored it improperly.
The Crumbleys were called to the school shortly before the shooting occurred to discuss a violent drawing made by their son and did not inform the school they had recently purchased a gun for their son.
Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald said that the charges "are intended to hold the individuals who contributed to this tragedy accountable and also send a message that gun owners have a responsibility."
The shooting has once again sparked a national debate on gun control and the merits of the Second Amendment. The school district, Oxford Community Schools, has confirmed it will conduct an investigation of the incident.
Tim Throne, the district superintendent, confirmed to The New York Times that "the district also plans to ask an independent security consultant to review the district’s safety practices and procedures."
Massie's photograph was harshly condemned as a questionable display of judgment and reignited calls for gun control nationwide.
There are too many families that have to spend the holidays without their loved ones because of gun violence.
The glorification of firearms fuels gun violence. Guns should not be celebrated. https://t.co/ybesanrXZ8
— March For Our Lives (@AMarch4OurLives) December 6, 2021
This is a member of Congress. Posting this vile photo and caption just 5 days after 4 children were gunned down in school. Perhaps he should ask Santa for human decency instead. Disgusting. https://t.co/99yInc8ssl
— Jules - Forever Ridin' with Biden #46 (@jules1327) December 5, 2021
Disgusting and sick. God please ask Santa to find help for this dangerously demented group that knows guns were designed for one thing… TO KILL. https://t.co/FxS4UWHivU
— Rep Frederica Wilson (@RepWilson) December 5, 2021
obsession over guns is not responsible gun ownership imo https://t.co/s5Jdd8FTXc
— Kyra Parrow 🦋 (@longlivekcx) December 5, 2021
Get some firearm safety training! Your wife is going to shoot your son-in-law’s left shoulder off! It’s always the same with these cowards - no clue, and proud of it. Look at those endorphin-drenched smiling faces! So scared. So addicted to toxic and empty joys. https://t.co/V9ltSC2Tok
— LOW (@lowtheband) December 5, 2021
Imagine not being able to mourn when children die from a mass shooting? Imagine that person being an elected official? https://t.co/QMNUfvVZqN pic.twitter.com/dD22vAffdp
— Johnathan Ford⬅️ (@FordJohnathan5) December 6, 2021
Peace on earth and Mercy Mild
This photograph is a sign of he downfall of the American republic. This is has nothing to do with the 2nd Amendment. It is sign of the violence that will ultimately destroy the United States. https://t.co/OtrZPrMkya
— Denny Cormier (@santafeez) December 5, 2021
Christmas for Christians is a celebration of the birth of Christ- the Prince of Peace. He lived to stand against corruption & taught us, above all, to love our neighbors. Today the GOP is a party of arrogance, intolerance & violence - the party of death. https://t.co/bM6wSgKA2r
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) December 6, 2021
Imagine if I tweeted a picture of my Muslim family in the same way. Just imagine.#DoubleStandards https://t.co/OLv4Hx01Gs
— MuslimMarine (@mansoortshams) December 5, 2021
Massie has proven one of the more controversial members of the House of Representatives, previously making headlines for pushing against COVID-19 restrictions.
Over the summer, Massie shared a meme showing an arm tattooed with a concentration camp identification number, effectively comparing vaccine mandates to the Holocaust, which was the systematic murder of more than six million Jews across German-occupied Europe.