During a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday to discuss a new bill that would require background checks on all gun purchases, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) argued that President Trump’s favored border wall would make the U.S. safer than background checks and attempted to get the father of a slain Parkland student removed from the hearing.
Gaetz — an ardent Trump supporter — argued that guns are not the problem and suggested the wall would keep violent people out of the U.S.
“If we really cared about safer streets, we would build the wall and secure the border and we would do it post haste,” he said.
Gaetz’s remarks were interrupted by shouts and “boos” from the audience, which included Manuel Oliver, the father of Joaquin Oliver, one of 17 murdered when a gunman opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida — Gaetz’s home state — last year.
After several shouts from the audience, which included March For Our Lives and other gun control activists, Gaetz asked Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) to have protesters removed from the crowd. Nadler said he would give Oliver a warning, though it was unclear what Oliver was shouting.
“Is there a process in the committee whereby the very same people are repeatedly interrupting the time of the members that those people will be asked to depart the committee?” Gaetz asked Nadler, jabbing his finger and pointing at Oliver. “I’d observe that’s three interruptions of my time by the same individual and that the chair is not utilizing his discretion to remove that individual.”
Watch the exchange below:
During today’s House hearing on #HR8, Rep. Matt Gaetz said building “the wall” would be more effective than background checks. He then got into an argument with @manueloliver00, whose son Joaquin was killed in Parkland, and tried to have him ejected. pic.twitter.com/8KjC8r9BWB
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) February 6, 2019
Gaetz is a snake making this about himself. A stone cold psycho utterly devoid of empathy and compassion.
Have fun in the minority, asshole. You guys already had your time in the sun and wasted it by trying to take everyone’s healthcare away.
Sit down and shut up, son.
This is Sheriff Nancy’s town now.
People like Gaetz have less than zero shame and honor. Was the Parkland massacre carried out by someone in the US illegally? NO! Was the Las Vegas massacre carried out by someone in the US illegally? NO! Was the Sandy Hook massacre carried out by someone in the US illegally? NO! Was the Columbine massacre carried out by people in the US illegally? NO! And on and on. The only thing all these shootings have in common is way too easy access to high powered weaponry and ammo out the wazoo. If there is a hell, I hope Gaetz enjoys his time rotting there.
Fetal alcohol syndrome is always tragic. But just look how far he’s come!