Fox News Host Howard Kurtz Hammered for Saying Gun Talk Can Wait
The host of ‘MediaBuzz’ implored everyone to wait a day before discussing the role of guns in last night’s Las Vegas mass shooting.
Fox News/Screenshot
For the second time in 15 months, we have endured our worst mass shooting in U.S. history. And Fox News host Howard Kurtz just isn’t ready to talk about guns yet.
The MediaBuzz host—and former Daily Beast media columnist—tweeted a plea for Democrats to wait one day before “plunging” into the gun control debate:
Gun control is a legitimate issue, but for the Dems already raising it after Las Vegas massacre, could we just have a day before plunging in
— HowardKurtz (@HowardKurtz) October 2, 2017
Two hours later, that tweet has only 100 retweets but more than 4,500 responses, many from those who are fed up with the “too soon” rhetoric that follows each of these events:
both my father and my sister are dead because of guns and I would like to plunge in now https://t.co/BmXyEX4U7w
— Ashley Feinberg (@ashleyfeinberg) October 2, 2017
No. To be silent on the issue is a political position unto itself.https://t.co/KX29m0vhLH
— Brian Fallon (@brianefallon) October 2, 2017
There have been 273 mass shootings in the US in the first 275 days of this year. When's a good time? https://t.co/QD0bfvYCjQ
— Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) October 2, 2017
But every day we wait to do something about gun control increases the chances of another Vegas-style shooting. https://t.co/cP9Fg7K9zO
— James Surowiecki (@JamesSurowiecki) October 2, 2017
No. We're coming up on 5 years since Sandy Hook. The answer is no. No, we cannot have a day. Got it? https://t.co/dd1WbM0Ja7
— Randi Mayem Singer (@rmayemsinger) October 2, 2017
there's always an excuse to sit back and do nothing https://t.co/lHvO2TgGxn
— Ziwe (@ziwe) October 2, 2017
We're not plunging in today because of Vegas, we thought today was coincidentally the day we were finally allowed to politicize Newtown. https://t.co/3FAoc2vSCc
— Jesse Berney (@jesseberney) October 2, 2017
Delete your account. https://t.co/E2OTWBe6xM
— Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) October 2, 2017
Kurtz subsequently acknowledged the “pushback,” but then proceeded to say that since the Republican-controlled Congress will not pass any gun control legislation that there is no point in pressuring them to do so:
Getting strong pushback from gun control advocates. Just saying it can appear insensitive to do this instantly & we don't have all facts
— HowardKurtz (@HowardKurtz) October 2, 2017
Gun debate is important, but it's also clear a GOP Congress isn't going to pass anything. Obama couldn't get a bill after Sandy Hook tragedy
— HowardKurtz (@HowardKurtz) October 2, 2017
Didn't say that re guns. I said one day is decent interval @shmr50 Let’s just wait till passions cool & people forget about it, right?
— HowardKurtz (@HowardKurtz) October 2, 2017
Among the Democrats who refused to wait until “passions cool” were Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), who said it a statement that “it’s time for Congress to get off its ass and do something” and Rep. Seth Moulton who said he would not be joining his colleagues for a moment of silence because “that just becomes an excuse for inaction.” He also had a special message for House Speaker Paul Ryan:
.@SpeakerRyan, how many Americans have to die before you do your job? Allow us to have a debate and a vote. You're letting America down.
— Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) October 2, 2017
In his initial statement, President Donald Trump called the shooting an “act of pure evil” but did not mention the role of guns.
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