Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action. (Photo: MDA)
Shannon Watts recently slammed Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for a joke he made about firearms and reporters shortly after he signed a bill lowering concealed carry permits fees.
The founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America sounded off following the Republican governor’s remark while at a shooting range last week in which he said, “I’m gonna carry this [gun] around in case I see any reporters,” according to Patrick Svitek of The Texas Tribune.
Abbott’s joke was in reference to an incident involving a Montana state lawmaker who was charged with misdemeanor assault after getting physical with a reporter from The Guardian.
Watts said that Abbott’s comment was “unacceptable and that “gun violence is no laughing matter.”
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“Governor Abbott’s so-called joke about shooting reporters is unacceptable, but it’s not surprising coming from one of the NRA leadership’s favorites,” she said in a press release obtained by GunsAmerica.
“We have a President who boasted he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and not lose supporters, and received $30 million dollars in campaign support from the gun lobby,” she continued. “What these politicians need to understand is that gun violence is no laughing matter – more than 90 Americans are shot and killed every day and hundreds more are injured. Joking about shooting anyone is unacceptable, and we must demand more from elected leaders who make our laws.
“Rather than flippant comments that could incite violence, they should talk to the victims of gun violence and their families who – along with the vast majority of Americans—support common sense gun laws that will save lives,” she concluded.
.@GovAbbott goes shooting after signing bill that reduces handgun license fee. #SB16 #txlege pic.twitter.com/mb0lJye1wN
— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) May 26, 2017
The idea that a politician can’t or shouldn’t joke about this subject or that subject is absurd. Because, if that’s the case, where does one draw the line?
I mean, what would the Left do with its precious Al Franken, who once joked about al-Qaeda killing President Bush?
We are constantly asking our leaders to be more “authentic” and “real” but the second they let their hair down we pounce on them. We become outraged that they stepped out of their lane.
I think humor gives us insight into a candidate’s character. I want my politicians to have a bit of a funny bone because not only does it put their humanity on display but I’m a firm believer, as Michael J. Fox once said, “The scariest person in the world is the one with no sense of humor.”
Abbott’s joke was funny. It was funny because of the context. He made the statement, at a shooting range, in front of a bunch of reporters. Everyone there knew he was joking.
Watts is correct about one thing: “… we must demand more from elected leaders who make our laws.” Only in the opposite direction she would prefer. Write your Senators and Representative today and urge them to get the National Reciprocity and Hearing Protection acts passed this year!
Mind your own damn business, Shannon.
She’s right, gun violence is no laughing matter. What is a laughing matter is the Liberal attempt to curb this violence, by disarming law-abiding citizens instead of going after criminals.
I’m glad I now have my CCW just in case I run into Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action and she decides to attack me and threaten my life!
What Governor Abbot said he was going to carry and show to reporters was the TARGET he had just used, not a gun. This was reported in several articles I read on the matter.
The target in question (a silhouette type) had four shots in the “bull’s eye”, seven in the “kill” zone, and four “flyers” to the right edge. Decent shooting but the governor does need more practice to tighten his group some.
Showing a target with decent grouping to reporters is a great way to get the message out that handicapped persons aren’t easy targets (Governor Abbot is wheelchair bound).
Watts misconstrued this like she does everything else.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/national/texas-governor-cracks-joke-about-reporters-at-gun-range/2017/05/26/7b3f20a4-4255-11e7-b29f-f40ffced2ddb_story.html
Shannon tWatts only does or says what her puppet master Bloomberg tells her to.
i don’t know her, and don’t care to, any one against the 2nd or any of our rights is a trader .
I wonder how many people even thought about Brown being wheelchair bound. Not to likely he will be able to run off if confronted by someone wanting to harm him. I guess he could carry a big book in his lap and throw it at them. We need to get real in this country folks. Most people who come after you have already planned what they are going to do. All self-defense teaches us that we are already behind when assaulted. That being said, how is a 110 pound woman with child in tow going to get a couple guys off of her when she is faced with two large adults threatening her and her child? The chance of being shot to death will make them find easier pickings. She needs to be trained to protect her family members and herself. We don’t need to take the option away from those willing to seek training and proper license.
Is it gun violence when a policeman or an armed citizen shoots a criminal who threatens their life or someone else. In Watts eyes it must be. I own guns and none of mine are violent. I have known of people who are violent. The violent people would use any means to destroy or hurt others. Guns are getting a bad rap from people like Watts. Madam Watts what about box openers,airplanes,large trucks,pressure cookers,cars? Why don’t you put your efforts toward limiting these items? It appears that you have given your cause little thought. Guns are a tool no better or worse than the people using them. You are proving how STUPID you are blaming a tool.
First of all there is no gun violence there is only people on people violence where a gun, knife, bat, golf club or a car is used. There will never be a gun law that will stop a criminal from obtaining a gun and through his personal action use a gun to perform a violent act. Everyone wants to blame the gun and not the person. Oh but let a person use a car as a weapon and kill people and no one calls it car violence or a knife and call it knife violence. Also let someone use a gun to save a life or stop a crime and only the person gets credit for that and no one calls it GUN Heroics.
Folks, we’re obviously taking this all wrong – She’s saying that it shouldn’t be a joke: The way “reporters” are behaving these days, that some just need to be shot on sight. I’m beginning to lean her way on this!!
Not funny? She’s making me laugh….. more than that kathy griffith guy (seriously, what kind of parents name their son “kathy”?)
While mayor of Chicago, Richard M. Daley, picked a gun up from a table during a news display and sarcastically made a comment to a reporter Mike Dumke on the supposed importance of his city wide gun ban. Holding a confiscated rifle Daley made a lame joke, “if I stick this up your butt” you will see how effective the gun bans is. No Sharon Watts or MDA to reel in one of their own antis that time.
I never saw anything in the comment that said he was going to shoot anyone. Ms Watts was assumeing he ment to shoot someome and we all know what assume means!
90 a day, where is she getting her numbers from ? oh there it is on a Hilary Clinton , web site, Check the FBI website and you will find the number is about 30 a day, But for you argument 90 will sound better.
The only joke here is… Shannon Watts!
Gomer, I was thinking the same thing, and there is a difference. If Governor Abbott had stated he was going to carry it in case he sees the President of the United States, first amendment protection will be there, but he would be closely investigated and there would be a lot of scrutiny. Like Griffin, there may be consequences, some moderates that don’t like guns might vote differently next election, but in Texas, probably not. Regardless, both exercised their freedom guaranteed “Bill of Rights” but in Griffin’s case, poor taste is going to cost her, maybe everything. The Bill of Rights doesn’t protect stupid.
I’m with the gov. Every single lib reporter. Of course it’s a damn joke! So is Miss Shannon, bless her stupid heart!
And I’m sure she’s never said in an off-hand way: “I could just shoot you!” or “I was so angry I could have killed that guy” or any of the other and numerous “offensive” hyperbole that gets said day-to-day.
“Watts said that Abbott’s comment was “unacceptable and that “gun violence is no laughing matter.” I have to disagree! It is completely laughable especially when it was done in a joking matter and the fact that so called “gun violence” is a made up faux term where something doesn’t even exist, except to those brain washed ant-gun agenda folks. In over 62 years, none of my guns have ever been violent!
Why are we even having to look at comments made by this woman. You are doing her work for her every time you make up a story that has anything to do with her. Yes, make up. It obviously is not newsworthy. Le’ts incite our readers by posting an inflammatory comment made by someone who takes the opposite view on everything we stand for.
Great journalism…..
What’s this cow got to say about Kathy Griffin?
Ms Watts was showing her ignorance again. The vast majority of the time presentation of strength, a firearm, is all that is required to deter a person set on violence or otherwise asserting what they believe to be their rights over yours. Most reporters are intelligent enough to recognize a firearm so I doubt that actually shooting one would be necessary
When the governor said it, was it obvious it was joke? If so, then this is nothing but a Chicken Little over-reaction and is not even newsworthy. The intent of the comment is what is germane. If it is clearly a joke but you don’t like it, grow a thicker skin.