Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) managed to shock even the most jaded users of social media on Monday with a candid speech on the school shooting.
“We will not fix it,” He told reporters just hours after a A shooter wielding two “assault-style” rifles and a pistol killed three students and three adults at a private Christian school in Nashville.
Burchett, who voted against a bill that would expand background checks on gun sales in 2021, called Monday’s shooting “a horrible, horrible situation,” but insists nothing can be done to prevent future tragedies because, “criminal will be criminal.”
He added that his philosophy was influenced by his father, who told him, “Buddy, if someone wants to follow you and doesn’t think about losing their life, there’s nothing they can do.”
Burchett has previously voted against gun reform legislation and refused to weigh in on measures Congress could take to reduce the tragedy on Monday.
“I don’t see any real role that we can play other than being disruptive, to be honest, because of the situation,” Burchett said. “Like I said, I don’t think criminals are going to stop using guns. You know, you can print it out on a computer now, 3D printing.
Burchett then proposed a Christian revival to “change people’s hearts” as a solution.
“I don’t think you’re going to stop gun violence. I think you have to change people’s hearts,” he said.
Burchett’s response to the question of what can be done “to protect people like a little girl from being safe at school” turned into a real “Let’s eat cake” moment for members of Congress.
“Well, we front-school him, but you know, that’s our decision,” Burchett said. “Some people don’t have that choice and frankly, some people don’t need to do it. I mean, they don’t have to. It just suits our needs better.
People on social media attacked Burchett’s comments.