Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is under fire following comments he made during the vice presidential debate, where he claimed to have “become friends with school shooters.” The statement has sparked outrage from various quarters, including the Trump campaign, Congressional Republicans, Elon Musk, and even a parent of a school shooting victim.
During the debate, when asked about his shift in stance on an assault weapons ban, Walz’s reply raised eyebrows and went viral on social media. He mentioned sitting with Sandy Hook parents and inadvertently stated, “I’ve become friends with school shooters.” This led to swift condemnation, with one parent of a Parkland shooting victim calling the remark “absolutely abhorrent” and disqualifying.
Elon Musk, a vocal supporter of President Trump, expressed astonishment at Walz’s words, highlighting the sensitivity of the issue. However, supporters of Walz have come to his defence, emphasizing his long-standing commitment to gun safety measures. Shannon Watts, co-founder of Moms Demand Action, praised Walz’s efforts to pass gun control laws in Minnesota, citing his integrity and leadership in the face of opposition.
Fred Guttenberg, another parent of a Parkland victim, clarified that Walz’s comment was a slip of the tongue and that he meant to refer to families affected by school shootings. He criticised attempts to distort the truth for political gain, urging a focus on substantive issues.
Both Walz and his running mate, Harris, are gun owners who have been advocating for a nuanced approach to addressing gun violence in the United States. They stress the importance of finding solutions while upholding Second Amendment rights. The Harris-Walz campaign has been approached for comment on the controversy surrounding Walz’s remarks.
The incident underscores the sensitivity and gravity of addressing gun violence in American society and the need for thoughtful and responsible discourse on the issue.