Other Republicans blamed the issue of mass shootings on the movement to defund the police

During a hearing on gun violence on Tuesday, the day after 10 people were murdered in a mass shooting at a Colorado grocery store, Texas Senator Ted Cruz criticized Democrats for demanding gun reform. 

“Every time there is a shooting, we play this ridiculous theater where this committee gets together and proposes a bunch of laws that would do nothing to stop these murders,” Cruz said. 

Read More: Colorado grocery store shooting reignites call for gun control in Washington

“What happens in this committee after every mass shooting is Democrats propose taking away guns from law-abiding citizens.”

One Twitter user noted that Cruz’s argument falls apart on its own. “Did you say “every time there’s a shooting”?!! Is that really how you want to start your defense of guns?!! You being so tone-deaf and uttering “every time” says more about the subject matter than anything you said afterwards! @tedcruz @SenTedCruz is a national embarrassment!” 

When Republicans were called out for doing nothing more about gun control than offering “thoughts and prayers,” Cruz said, “I don’t apologize for thoughts or prayers,” saying that he “believe[s] in the power of prayer.”

Other Republicans blamed the issue of mass shootings, not on lax gun laws, but on the movement to defund the police. 

Read More: Woman with loaded gun and letter for Biden arrested near White House

Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas said, “When you condemn the police when you make it harder to do their job, you shouldn’t be surprised that criminals take advantage.”

One Houston news outlet noted that most Americans, 81%, favor universal background checks for gun purchases. However, they don’t always vote for candidates who support that issue when they are elected, thus, Republicans who are proponents of lax gun control citing the second amendment remain in power. 

There is currently a bill in the House of Representatives that would prohibit gun transfers between private parties unless a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer first takes possession of the firearm to conduct a background check. There would be some exceptions, such as gifts between immediate family members.

The bill passed the House on March 11, but it is unclear if it will pass the Senate. 

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