Guns
Ron Johnson says ‘secularization of society,’ ‘loss of faith’ are to blame for Texas shooting
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) said on Wednesday that the “secularization of society” and “loss of faith” are to blame for Tuesday’s mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
Johnson, who has taken roughly $1.2 million in donations from the National Rifle Association, went on a right-wing radio show this morning and was asked what he thinks the solution is for “death and destruction that has taken place in communities like Waukesha.”
“The solution is renewed faith,” he replied.
NEW: Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), discussing the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX, says the “secularization of society” and “loss of faith” are to blame.
“I think the solution is renewed faith.” pic.twitter.com/Z5hjblymEY
— Heartland Signal (@HeartlandSignal) May 25, 2022
Johnson has avoided questions from reporters about the shooting, which left 19 children and two adults dead and 17 others injured. He ignored a CNN reporter today who asked about expanding background checks on firearms, which he said in the past he doesn’t support. He told Milwaukee’s WUWM earlier this month that he doesn’t “know why the left always wants to blame the gun and absolve the criminal.”
CNN’s @mkraju asks @SenRonJohnson about expanding background checks on firearms following shooting in Uvalde. Johnson does not answer. (Via @CNN) pic.twitter.com/1YHmTYJxU6
— Victor Jacobo (@victorjacobo_) May 25, 2022
Johnson is also endorsed by the NRA, who gave him an “A” rating for opposing “the anti-gun agenda,” which his voting record reflects. After the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., Johnson voted against the failed Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act in 2013 that would’ve banned high-capacity magazines of over 10 bullets.
A study from Everytown found that over half of mass shootings between 2009-2018 involved firearms with high-capacity magazines and that high-capacity magazines led to five times as many people shot per shooting.
Johnson’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
EDITOR’S NOTE (5/31): This article’s headline has been slightly edited for style.