Gun-Nut GOP Lawmakers Commemorate Gun Violence Survivors’ Awareness Week With AR-15 Paraphernalia

Something you’ve probably heard by now is that America has a very tragic problem with guns and thus, gun violence and mass shootings. In 2022, there were 647 mass shootings, or roughly 1.77 every single day. In 2023, which began less than 34 full days ago, there have been 54 mass shootings, including one that left 12 people dead. Gun violence in the US is significantly higher than most other countries in the world; compared to other wealthy nations, the US blows the competition out of the water, and not in a good way. Obviously, this is no way to live, and if you’re a person who would like to avoid being killed in a mass shooting at the grocery store or anywhere else, you’d probably like elected officials to do something about all of this. Unfortunately, Republicans have made it abundantly clear that preventing mass shootings is not one of their priorities, and for some, it’s apparently a downright joke.

Throughout the week—which happens to be Gun Violence Survivors’ Awareness Week—various far-right lawmakers, including the newly elected representatives George Santos and Anna Paulina Luna, have shown up in Congress sporting AR-15 pins on their lapels, in the place where congresspeople usually display American flags. Why? To own the libs, or something. After days of questions re: who was passing these offensive pieces of paraphernalia out, Representative Andrew Clyde, who was also seen wearing one on Wednesday while criticizing gun restrictions, revealed himself, saying: “I’m Congressman Andrew Clyde for Georgia’s 9th District. I hear that this little pin I’ve been giving out on the House floor has been triggering some of my Democrat colleagues. I give it out to remind people of the Second Amendment of the Constitution and how important it is in preserving our liberties. If I missed you on the House floor, please stop by my office in Cannon, I have plenty more to give out.”

As Business Insider revealed last year, Clyde owns a firearms store in Athens, Georgia, that is ranked fourth on Yelp. So the stunt may not have simply been an offensive insult to gun-violence victims and their families, but some free advertising.

In response to Clyde’s tweet, Representative Barry Moore responded, “Save a pin for me!” Earlier in the day, proud gun-nut Lauren Boebert declared on the House floor that what this country needs is more guns:

Republicans have blamed basically everything other than guns as the things that cause mass shootings. A short in no way comprehensive list of these excuses include: too many doors; not enough God; single moms; unarmed teachers; schools being designed without “trip wires” and “man traps”; and women having rights.