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Tennessee Republican Representative Tim Burchett was criticized after he said there is no way to "fix" school shootings in the wake of a mass shooting at a private Christian school in Nashville that claimed the lives of three children and three adults.
The victims—ranging in age from 9 to 61—were identified as Evelyn Dieckhaus - 9, Hallie Scruggs - 9, William Kinney - 9, Cynthia Peak - 61, Katherine Koonce - 60 and Mike Hill - 61.
Burchett, who voted against a bill to expand background checks on gun sales last year, stated school shootings cannot be prevented because "criminals are gonna be criminals."
When asked by reporters what could be done "to protect people like your little girl from being safe at school," Burchett replied:
"Well, we home-school her, but you know, that's our decision."
"Some people don't have that option and frankly, some people don't need to do it. I mean, they don't have to."
"It just suited our needs much better."
You can hear what Burchett said in the video below.
\u201cREPORTER: "What else should be done to protect people like your little girl?"\n\nBURCHETT: "Well, we homeschool her."\u201d— Brennan Murphy (@Brennan Murphy) 1679963578
Burchett's comments have drawn widespread criticism from those who argue that it's the responsibility of lawmakers to protect citizens from gun violence. Many have pointed out that home-schooling isn't an option for most families, and that it's not a solution to the problem of school shootings.
His comments were swiftly called out by Shannon Watts, the founder of gun violence prevention nonprofit Moms Demand Action.
Shes wrote:
"Republicans have gone from offering thoughts and prayers to saying unfettered access to guns is now likely to kill your children at school so you should probably just keep them inside at all times."
You can see Watts' tweet below.
\u201c\u201cHOMESCHOOL HER.\u201d\n\nRepublicans have gone from offering thoughts and prayers to saying unfettered access to guns is now likely to kill your children at school so you should probably just keep them inside at all times.\u201d— Shannon Watts (@Shannon Watts) 1680012268
Others have also condemned his remarks.
\u201c@brenonade @nhannahjones In other words, it\u2019s not really his problem.\u201d— Brennan Murphy (@Brennan Murphy) 1679963578
\u201c@brenonade I guess the role of a Congressional representative is to ONLY worry about things that directly affect him and his family. Good to know.\u201d— Brennan Murphy (@Brennan Murphy) 1679963578
\u201c@brenonade Wow, if he gets reelected, his voters truly got what they settle for after this. What self serving jerk.\u201d— Brennan Murphy (@Brennan Murphy) 1679963578
\u201c@brenonade @M_PaulMcNamara IOW: Don\u2019t be poor so you can afford to homeschool.\u201d— Brennan Murphy (@Brennan Murphy) 1679963578
\u201c@brenonade In conclusion: \n\n-we won't do anything to help prevent your kids from being shot \n-this is the way it is nothing's gonna change \ud83e\udd37\ud83c\udffb\u200d\u2642\ufe0f \n-my kid won't get shot at school bc we homeschool her.\n-We done?\u201d— Brennan Murphy (@Brennan Murphy) 1679963578
\u201c@brenonade Insensitive and heartless\u201d— Brennan Murphy (@Brennan Murphy) 1679963578
\u201c@brenonade So she is safe from a school shooting but does she leave the compound to go anywhere else? Maybe a parade, church or grocery store? \ud83e\udd14\u201d— Brennan Murphy (@Brennan Murphy) 1679963578
Burchett's remarks reflect a growing trend among some Republican lawmakers who argue there's nothing that can be done to prevent gun violence.
Many gun rights advocates argue gun control measures won't work and they infringe on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.
However, critics of this approach argue lawmakers have a duty to take action to protect citizens from gun violence, especially in the wake of mass shootings that claim innocent lives.
They argue gun control measures such as expanded universal background checks, restrictions on high-capacity magazines and bans on assault weapons are common-sense measures that would save lives.