Staff report
Kentucky’s Rep. Thomas Massie is drawing national attention — and backlash — for a photo he has circulated on social media Saturday. The photo caused a massive outrage in the national and international media.
The photo of Massie and his family holding guns in front of a Christmas tree came with this message: “Merry Christmas! ps. Santa, please bring ammo”.
The photo appeared on Massie’s Facebook page and he also tweeted it out. Comments on the Facebook page were largely critical though there were some who defended the photo.
The post caught the attention of many outlets in both the national and international press.
The Kenton County Democratic Party issued a prompt response via press release:
“Congressman Thomas Massie posted on Twitter a photo of his family holding assault-style weapons wishing followers a “Merry Christmas” and for Santa to “please bring more ammo.” The post came shortly after the parents of a 15-year-old boy accused of fatally shooting four students at a high school in Michigan had been arrested for manslaughter.
“The Michigan tragedy hits close to home. Kentucky has experienced some of the most notorious school shootings in history; And, just yesterday in Congressman Massie’s home district, the Boone County Sheriff’s office reported an incident of terroristic threats made by a middle school student.
“Congressman Massie’s voting record on gun safety is even more tasteless than the photo tweeted earlier today. In 2018, he voted “no” on the Stop School Violence Act, a bill that reauthorizes a grant program for school security and would have provided funding for training law enforcement, school personnel, and students; developing and operating anonymous reporting systems for threats of school violence, including hotlines, websites, and mobile apps; security assessments and coordination with local law enforcement; and installing and using deterrent measures like metal detectors and locks.
“The Republican Congressman has also repeatedly voted “no” to enhance background checks.”
The following statement was made by Tom Elfers, Chair of the Kenton County Democrats:
“Congressman Thomas Massie’s photo is morally reprehensible and makes a mockery of victims of gun violence across this country and here in the Commonwealth. The fact that a sitting U.S. Congressman would post something so insensitive when the families of four teenagers are currently grieving the loss of their loved ones, only days after being gunned down in a public school in Michigan, is in poor taste and absolutely shameful.
“The Republican Congressman should take down the photo immediately and issue an apology to each of the families of the four students killed at Oxford High School.
“We have already witnessed too much loss due to irresponsible behavior and posting a picture celebrating assault weapons is more of the same. The people of Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District deserve better.”
Neither Massie nor the Republican Party has yet to comment.
How embarrassing for Northern Kentucky. A couple of people have filed against him for next year’s primary, one of which is at least as crazy as he is. Please give me someone I can be satisfied to vote for.
So what did he do wrong?
Nothing People get there panties in wad over a Christmas family picture with guns.
Kentucky’s representatives to Congress seem rather bizarre. First we have Thomas Massie professing his love affair with assault guns; I expect he will soon tell us he loves hunting… Then we have fake board certified doctor Rand Paul exposing his colleagues to Coronavirus and arguing with Dr. Fauci about Covid; I hope he gets a more severe case next time he gets Covid. Finally we have Mitch McConnell who is under the impression that the Senate majority leader gets to decide EVERYTHING in government but only if that person is Republican.
Do better Kentucky voters!
Unbelievable! Again, Massie has done something stupid and vile just to get attention. He really needs to see a mental health professional to get to the root of his pathology and grow up.