Key takeaways:
- Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) faced criticism from gun control advocates and Democrats after a 2021 photo resurfaced showing him and his family posing with firearms in front of the family’s Christmas tree.
- Ogles released a statement offering “thoughts and prayers” to the victims’ families in response to the tragedy.
- Ogles has previously expressed support for gun rights and has been endorsed by the National Rifle Association.
On Tuesday, Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), who represents the Nashville district where a shooter killed six people at a school on Monday, faced criticism from gun control advocates and Democrats after a 2021 photo resurfaced showing Ogles and his family posing with firearms in front of the family’s Christmas tree.
In response to the tragedy, Ogles released a statement offering “thoughts and prayers” to the victims’ families. “My family and I are devastated by the tragedy that took place at The Covenant School in Nashville this morning,” Ogles’ statement said. “We are sending our thoughts and prayers to the families of those lost. As a father of three, I am utterly heartbroken by this senseless act of violence.”
However, gun control advocates quickly dug up Ogles’ social media history, highlighting a post in which he appeared to glorify guns. The post, which was shared on Facebook in 2021, showed Ogles and his family posing with firearms in front of the family’s Christmas tree.
The post sparked swift backlash from Democrats, gun control advocates and other social media users. Many argued that Ogles’ post was insensitive in light of the recent tragedy and called for stricter gun control measures.
Ogles has yet to respond to the criticism. However, he has previously expressed support for gun rights and has been endorsed by the National Rifle Association. It remains to be seen whether the criticism will prompt Ogles to reconsider his stance on gun control.
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