He did not specify whether any of the suggested gun control measures would actually prevent criminals from committing obtaining and using guns.
On Monday night, following news that a gunman had opened fire at Michigan State University, state representative Ranjeev Puri released a statement that began with the words, "F*ck your thoughts and prayers."
The statement was widely criticised, with many pointing out that the gun reform strategies Puri laid out in the words following the profanity-laden introduction would only punish law-abiding firearm owners, leaving criminals free to carry out more mass shootings.
"F*ck your thoughts and prayers," Puri began, before extending is "deepest condolences" to the Michigan State University community.
He went on to suggest that what happene was "unfortunately too common" in America, suggesting that students from pre-school to college were risking their lives every day due to the threat of mass shootings.
"All we have offered up are empty solutions," he lamented. "We do not need to live like this."
Taking aim at those who expressed their deepest condolences to the victims in accordance with their religious beliefs, Puri suggested that, "Thoughts and prayers without action and change are meaningless."
https://twitter.com/RanjeevPuri/status/1625356057953419266
In an earlier tweet, Puri outlined some of the changes he'd like to see implemented in Michigan, including background checks for long guns, red flag laws, regulated open carry, and limits on magazine capacity. He did not specify whether any of the measures would actually prevent criminals from committing their evil deeds.
Puri's statement was slammed by users across Twitter, with some going after his language and others pointing out the flaws in his approach to gun control.
"Punishing people who did not commit any crime for the actions of others is deeply unjust and won’t save lives," the Libertarian Party of Michigan wrote. "If you cared about protecting students, introduce legislation to end gun free zones in schools. Give students the freedom to defend themselves against attackers."
"Stunning, and some might say brave," Ian Miles Cheong wrote, mockingly.
Numerous others replied to Puri's tweet with a sarcastic, "Classy."
The MSU mass shooter took the lives of three students and sent numerous others to the hospital, some in critical condition, before taking his own life.
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