In the weeks since the tragic school shooting in Parkland, Florida, the issue over gun rights and Gun Control has dominated the headlines. In response, Donald Trump doesn't look to be backing off his defense of the Second Amendment anytime soon.
THE SECOND AMENDMENT WILL NEVER BE REPEALED! As much as Democrats would like to see this happen, and despite the words yesterday of former Supreme Court Justice Stevens, NO WAY. We need more Republicans in 2018 and must ALWAYS hold the Supreme Court!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 28, 2018
Trump on gun control
It was back on Valentine's Day when 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz made his way into Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida and opened fire.
Once police were able to get to the scene and take Cruz into custody, 17 people were killed with many more left injured. The shooting sparked a national debate about gun control in the country, including several of the students finding themselves in the spotlight, leading to the "March for Our Lives" rally that took place in Washington and around the country last weekend.
The conversation has highlighted the wide divide in the United States, with those who want stronger gun control clashing with supporters of gun rights. As seen in a tweet on March 28, Donald Trump is strongly standing by his support of the Second Amendment. "THE SECOND AMENDMENT WILL NEVER BE REPEALED!" Trump tweeted out.
"As much as Democrats would like to see this happen, and despite the words yesterday of former Supreme Court Justice Stevens, NO WAY," Trump added, while concluding, "We need more Republicans in 2018 and must ALWAYS hold the Supreme Court!"
Twitter backlash
After Donald Trump sent out his tweet, it didn't take long before critics hit back.
"What about the right for children to be free from fear while in school? How does your right to bear arms ensure that they are free to learn and live without being shot and killed?" one tweet wondered.
Justice Stevens is a Republican, which means that the only person who has mentioned repealing the Second is a Republican. Nice try though. How’s that unity thing working for you?
— Diana Hight (@annarobin6) March 28, 2018
What about the right for children to be free from fear while in school? How does your right to bear arms ensure that they are free to learn and live without being shot and killed?
— Robert Pruitt (@toad1940) March 28, 2018
That is simply not true. If you would start listening to people and get your head out of your ass you would realize that.
— Vinnie Gonzarelli (@VinnieG666) March 28, 2018
"Justice Stevens is a Republican, which means that the only person who has mentioned repealing the Second is a Republican.
Nice try though. How’s that unity thing working for you?" a Twitter user wrote. "I know it's the thing to convince Repubs that Dems are out to totally repeal the 2nd Amendment. Why bother with the fact that many Dems actually own guns themselves when you can instill fear instead? But, truth is, they only want guns regulated, not outlawed. Nice try," an additional tweet noted.
I am sure our founding fathers didn’t create the 2nd amendment so people could use semi automatic rifles to kill innocent people in schools or other public locations. The gun problem in our country needs fixed.
— Missy (@_sweetmissy_) March 28, 2018
No one, absolutely no one, is trying to get 2nd amendment repealed. The NRA must be proud of you for parroting their primary talking point though. The die hard 25% of Americans that eat your crap daily will fall for this but majority of Americans know it is just another Trump lie
— keith hall (@kfhall0852) March 28, 2018
I know it's the thing to convince Repubs that Dems are out to totally repeal the 2nd Amendment. Why bother with the fact that many Dems actually own guns themselves when you can instill fear instead? But, truth is, they only want guns regulated, not outlawed. Nice try
— 🌊🌊#Never Again🌊🌊 (@peebsnjay) March 28, 2018
"In Maryland a kid who killed another kid committed suicide while the school cop shot him in the hand, effectively preventing nothing!" a social media user wrote.
"I am sure our founding fathers didn’t create the 2nd amendment so people could use semi automatic rifles to kill innocent people in schools or other public locations. The gun problem in our country needs fixed," a follow-up tweet noted.