Democrats have picked up their gun-control calls Sunday, hours after a gunman, still on the loose, killed four at a Waffle House[1] near Nashville, Tennessee, with a semi-automatic rifle – with Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., pointing the finger at departing House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis.
Nashville woke up to devastating news. We mourn the innocent victims and thank our brave first responders. Many will say now is not the time to discuss change. But now IS the time. We can and must do everything possible to prevent these tragedies and keep Americans safe.
— Jim Cooper (@repjimcooper) April 22, 2018[2]
Dear @SpeakerRyan[3]: At least 4 people died & multiple victims injured because a gunman used an assault weapon at a Waffle House. When will you stop silencing us & let us at least debate gun safety measures in Congress?
You're quitting. You no longer need to be beholden to @NRA. https://t.co/Iohzlumc95[4][5]
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) April 22, 2018[6]
Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn., was expressing his rejection of an oft-held notion victims should get time to mourn and reflect on loss before such attacks are politicized into calls for repealing the Second Amendment or gun law reform.
Rep. Lieu has been a national voice for Democrats on gun control, including having to apologize for inviting a 16-year-old, gun-rights-supporting Parkland shooting student survivor to come to his state of California to smoke pot.[7]
Democrats have historically attacked the National Rifle Association and Republicans who accept campaign contributions from the NRA, Speaker Ryan included. Ryan has announced he will not seek re-election and will surrender his GOP leadership role
