Texas congressman: Principal should have been armed for self-defense
(CNN) - U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert said the deadly Connecticut school shooting could have been halted sooner if staff at the school had been equipped with guns.
"I wish to God (the principal) had had an M4 in her office, locked up, so when she heard gunfire she pulls it out … and takes him out, takes his head off before he can kill those precious kids," the Republican from Texas said on "Fox News Sunday."
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The gun control debate has been renewed since 20 students and six adults were killed Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Many lawmakers and politicians have called for the renewal of the federal assault weapons ban, a piece of legislation that expired in 2004 at the end of its 10-year term but has yet to be renewed.
Gohmert argued that as the country takes on a conversation about gun rights, people must be "open-minded." He said emotional reactions will naturally lead to a desire to "get rid of all guns," but he said that "you (should) use your head and look at the facts."
"Every mass killing of more than three people in recent history has been in a place where guns were prohibited, except for one," he said, arguing for looser gun laws so more people can be armed for self-protection. "They know no one will be armed."
Gohmert made headlines in July when he made similar remarks, saying more deaths could have been prevented in the Aurora, Colorado, movie theater shooting if someone could have fired back at the gunman.
Asked why people need guns in places such as schools, malls and movie theaters, Gohmert said, "For the reason George Washington said, 'A free people should be an armed people.' "
The Second Amendment, he said, "ensures against the tyranny of the government if they know the biggest army is the American people."
On a separate show Sunday, former Education Secretary William Bennett made a similar argument, saying the political debate should be put on hold while emotions are still high.
"The whole nation is mourning. It's an important moment. Let the tears dry before we head off into all these directions at once," he said on NBC's "Meet the Press."
Bennett, a Republican, also agreed with the idea that schools should have a gun.
"I'm not so sure I wouldn't want one person in a school armed, ready for this kind of thing," he said. "It would have to be someone who's trained, someone who's responsible, but my God if you can prevent this kind of thing."
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His mother had all these guns but couldn't save HERSELF from her son and this congressman wants the principal to shoot the perp? I guess some have sold their souls to NRA. Pitiful:-(
How about this: Implement Rep. Gomer's idea (I'm misspelling his name on purpose) in Texas and we'll see how well it works out.
Let some Texans die first and go nuts under his law and then we'll decide whether we'll roll it out to the rest of the states.
His own mother who had all these guns couldn't protect HERSELF from her own son and this congressman wants the principal to carry an assault weapon! Some people have sold their souls to NRA!! Pitiful 🙁
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Don't know what the answer is, just trying to understand why this behavior is happening.
Yeah try that and see how much friendly fire you get? Imagine parents and teachers running in with guns, whose who? That guy has a gun... So does that guy! who do you shoot? Legislators tried to arm students at Texas Universities after the VA Tech shooting. I'd be more fearful at a school with guns than without.
This congressman's comments are just absurd! Firearms do not belong in schools, PERIOD!
Hey, here's a thought! Maybe its a good idea to have non lethal Teaser's available to administrarors and teachers to protect themselves.
Yes, the answer to gun violence is more guns. What an idiot.
Gohmert is right. If any of you had been there, in the heat of the attack, you would have prayed to have been armed so you could put a bullet in this maniac. An armed teacher or principal could have saved kid's lives that day. Instead you are all in fear of what it represents – the reality that guns and the murderers are already out there, and that you have to be prepared to stand up to them. The odds of this happening are hundreds of millions to one, will that be your consolation when it happens to you?
These things happen and why would anyone object for a qualified person or two have the avalabilityc to a fire arm for just such a random event.... I will bet every mother wishes someone would have had that ability two days ago... Trying to outlaw mental health breakdowns is a very foolish person. Reestablishing standards in this country would help more than any law!
Why are there so many geniuses in the Republican party? No wonder we didn't suffer a recession in the past few years because of the tax law enacted by Pres Bush a decade ago. Look where that got us. Oh wait. Now there's a proposal to go wild west and fight violence with violence. Wait until one of them goes postal. They'll have a gun right where they work. Just like when they suggested if only someone had a gun in the dark theater where it wad chaotic. Just start shooting wild west style and cross your fingers you don't hit someone other than the perpetrator. Only geniuses come up with this stuff.
What is this man talking about? Adding more arms!!!!! It won't be a country anymore, it will be a war zone.
so now this guys wants gun fights in our schools. the entire shooting took 2 mins. Unless he wants all staff to carry guns with them 24/7, this plan will only put more people in harms way
Caveman mentality. Period.
stupid talk! now I have to arm my 6yr old to defend herself. Really?
An absolutely asinine suggestion. It is irresponsible to suggest that every school administrator, teacher, cafeteria worker and janitor be trained and armed to "take out" people who are in the process of a mass murder. The simpler more constructive solution is treat the weapons as what they are–ultra hazardous instrumentalities–and have them controlled right along with explosive materials. Stringent regulations. Quit letting these weapons be acquired like candy or toys by those who are misguided in their perception that the guns will keep them safe and, much worse, provide them with an opportunity to be heroes. Take off your capes and tights and grow up. You are not supermen or G.I. Joes and Janes.
Let's see – what is the common denominator here? Oh, yeah. Mental illness. Maybe now that everyone is going to have access to healthcare, it might help treat these people before they initiate mass murder. The congressman from TX should take advantage of all the mental health services it has to offer! Second step: Ban assault weapons or any weapon that shoots more than 10 bullets at a time. Third step: Dismantle the NRA.
This response represents the go it alone approach of the right-wing gun worshipers that have taken this nation to a moral and practical dead-end. Their response it to arm the entire country with a massive stand-your-ground ethos. Insane! However, even more insane is that we keep electing these imbeciles.
Mr. Gohmert, like all Americans, has the right to say what he wishes. But, that don't make him right, nor does that mean people have to listen. His vote, as is other House members on the issue of cutting Medicaid, a program responsible for the care and treatment of mentally ill people is the real issue at hand.
This Congressman needs to know it is all about who pulls the trigger first. Mass killings went on at Killeen military camp where everyone had a gun. Still dozen people died. Just yesterday, another armed soldier was shot dead at Killeen. Lets keep guns away from schools. Lets talk of stringent of measures to keep off guns from schools to create free environment for our children to learn.
Mr. Gohmert, please provide one example of when an armed civilian was able to prevent a mass killing by a rampaging murdereder wielding a military style automatic weapon........ Crickets...... Crickets ...... Come on cowboy vigilante protector of the world, name for us just one incident where this was a reality.
Is there any way that we can physically detach Texas from the rest of the U.S.? Their abhorrent cowboy mentality borders on insanity.
These idiots want to arm everyone. Time to stand up to them.
I wish they would break away from the country. Then they can have all the guns they want! IDIOT!
Reminds me of when they authorized commercial airline pilots to carry a firearm. Remember the pilot who went bonkers
on his flight not too long ago. Do you think the passengers on board would have felt safer had he been armed ?
It never ceases to amaze me at the ridiculous positions these neo-cons take to preserve their campaign donations from the NRA and violence based fanatic organizations. I would assume from this position that sharpshooting would take precedence over outstanding teaching credentials. Since this is the 2nd ridiculous statement from Gohmert this month, I would think that the GOP would be putting a short leash on him.