The daughter of a Sandy Hook massacre victim lashed out at Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson on Thursday for what she said were “insensitive” and “morally bankrupt” comments about those killed in mass shootings.
Erica Lafferty, whose mother, Dawn Hochsprung, was the principal of Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, told the Guardian she was stunned at Carson’s comments about fighting back against shooters.
On Tuesday, Carson was asked on “Fox & Friends” what he would do if he was in a situation similar to what happened last week at community college in Roseburg, Oregon, where nine people were shot and killed. He suggested a swarm attack.
“Not only would I not probably not cooperate with him. I would not just stand there and let him shoot me,” Carson told Fox & Friends on Tuesday. He’s since double-downed on these comments. “I would say, ‘Hey guys, everybody attack him. He may shoot me, but he can’t get us all.’ “
Lafferty, whose mother was one of the six teachers and staff killed in Newtown in addition to the 20 children and who has pushed for tighter gun regulations with the group Everytown For Gun Safety, said Carson’s comments were tone-deaf.
“Ben Carson’s comments are insensitive to anyone who has ever been personally affected by gun violence,” she said. “Are gun extremists in this country so morally bankrupt that their solution to ending school shootings is asking kindergarten teachers to be trained in how to attack a gunman?”
