After Shooting, CBS Dismisses 2nd Amendment as for ‘Muskets,’ Lobbies Biden for Action

Journalists at CBS Mornings on Wednesday reacted to the tragic mass killing in Uvalde, Texas by dismissing the Second Amendment as for “muskets” and by lobbying for gun control via a Joe Biden executive order. Co-host Gayle King lectured Texas Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales, chiding him for not supporting background checks (which don’t appear they would have stopped the Uvalde killer). 

She dismissed the Second Amendment. “I keep thinking when the Founding Fathers wrote that they were talking about muskets. I do not think if they were here today that they were thinking that people, kids, would have these assault rifles.” 

King attacked the congressman after he called for unity with a strong focus on the victims. “With all due respect, you’re in a position of power. The position you are in allows you to influence the outcome of events. We can’t discuss it, and it’s not possible to make any changes. When can we start talking about it? To me, this is the perfect day to talk about it.” 

The co-host scolded the Republican: “You voted against two gun reform measures including one that called for expanded background checks. Are you rethinking that position this morning in light of what has happened in your state?” 

Michelle Miller, the guest host, lobbied earlier in the program for Biden’s passage around Congress. 

Senator, there is no safe place. Your colleagues from Congress were also targeted while playing baseball on the field. What point is it that the individuals charged with drafting legislation, which you claim, will be bipartisan? It will take an act of the President or an executive order? 

Rather than have a real discussion about what types of reforms would work, such as mental health laws or red flag laws, King suggested it’s as simple as saying, “Why not just ask people how do you feel about children?” 

I don’t know anybody, Republican or Democrat, if you just say this is about children —  because it keeps happening over and over and over again, and nothing ever changes. What is the best way to reach people and get into their hearts? To me, it’s even more shocking that these were elementary-school kids sitting at desks with their baby dentures. It’s something that I can’t stop thinking about. It is likely that you also feel the same about Newtown. Ask people what their feelings are about children. Based on previous actions taken, it seems that while we claim that we value children more than guns in this country, the reality is that that hasn’t been the case. 

The hosts of ABC’s Morning Show suggested that Republicans do not care about the deaths of children. 

Progressive and Lexus were sponsors of the pro-gun control drive. You can click on these links to tell them what you think. 

Here are excerpts from the program. Click “expand” to read more. 

CBS Mornings
5/25/2022

7:17

GAYLE King: Reporting on the Texas school shooting is difficult without experiencing the anger, frustration, and deep, profound sadness. This is how we cover stories like this all the time. There will be great stories of the victims and heroes. There will be silences and prayers, as well as sad music. Nothing seems to change. 

Just days ago we were in Buffalo —  you remember this —  covering a mass shooting at a grocery store. Ten were killed in the attack. Some of these victims can still be found buried in Buffalo. Recurring gun violence in schools is not a problem that’s unique to America. This is a problem you don’t need to ignore for a moment. This country has seen 119 school shootings since 2018. It is the most industrialized country on earth. These are the names you’ve probably heard. Sandy Hook and Parkland are forever associated with tragedy. After each shooting, everyone talks about gun reform, background checks and mental health issues. 

We keep repeating today that nothing is changing. Yesterday, Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy spoke out about Sandy Hook and said that it had been almost ten years since Congress gave any meaningful response. 

SENATOR CHRIS MURPH: I am here to plead, to get on my knees to ask my colleagues for help, and find a way forward. We need your help to make it less likely. If we do something, it sends the message that we are not supporting these murderers whose brains are in turmoil. We also stop supporting them silently by sending their endorsement. Why aren’t we doing this? We are here because of what? We are doing what? 

KING: Very good question, Senator. We are happy to announce that Senator Murphy will be joining us. We’ll check to see if his fellow senators responded to his intense plea. 

7:41

KING Connecticut senator Chris Murphy represented the sandy Hook elementary school families. The Democrat worked tirelessly in Congress since then to pass stricter gun laws. Senator Murphy now joins us. Senator Murphy, when I see those photos, it’s something I will never forget. I also remember that day because you were there. Yesterday I saw you on television and felt your pain. I also felt your passion. Chris, it literally leapt out of my TV screen when you began begging colleagues. Now I wonder what their reaction has been. What have you heard back from them? Did they say “We listen to you, believe you and now is the time for us to take action”? Is that what they are saying? 

…

7:44     

MICHELLE MILLER – Senator, there is no safe place. No less than your congressional colleagues were targeted at a ball field while practicing for a match. At what point will the bipartisan group of people charged with passing legislation to address this issue get involved? Will it take an executive order or an act of the President? 

…

KING: Senator. I think that we need a senator who is a hero. The country is in desperate need of a hero. You know, it’s —  Democrats blame Republicans, Republicans blame Democrats. But what if we were to focus on the children only? 

NATE BURLESON – Right. 

KING: I don’t know anybody, Republican or Democrat, if you just say this is about children —  because it keeps happening over and over and over again, and nothing ever changes. What is the best way to reach people and get into their hearts? To me, it’s even more shocking that these were elementary-school kids, sitting in front of their computers with their baby dentures. It’s something that I can’t stop thinking about. It is likely that you also feel the same about Newtown. Ask people what their feelings are about children. Based on past actions, we can’t say that we are more concerned about the children of this country than guns. 

…

TONY DOKOUPIL Since the attack on a Buffalo grocery store 11 days ago there have been 16 mass shootings. They have killed 33 people. It’s a question I ask myself, “What is America?” 
Why is this happening so often in the Philippines? We are not more likely to resort to violence. While we may not be more susceptible to mental illness than others, it is notable that our country has a greater number of firearms per capita. Our population has more guns than any other country on Earth. That seems to be a good thing.

8:05

BURLESON. Tony Gonzales (Republican Congressman) joins us. His district covers the Texas city of Uvalde. Mr. Congressman, it’s good to be here. Let’s go. Officials there have been in contact with you, and they told me last night that families are still waiting to connect with their children. Do you think there are still families that need to be reunited. 

…

KING 

TONY GONZALES – That’s correct. 

KING. You voted against gun reform, one of which called for more background checks. Is it possible to rethink your position today in light of the events that have occurred in your state 

…

KING (Congressman): I can hear you clearly, Congressman. I do not want to be a part of this debate. I am also thinking of the survivors as well as the victims. But this is the issue —  this keeps happening, and we keep skirting around it and saying somebody do something, and nobody does anything. It’s still the Second Amendment Rights, right to keep and bear arms. It’s funny to me that the Founding Fathers were referring to muskets when they wrote. If they weren’t here, I don’t think they would have thought that children, or people, would be able to own assault rifles. So if not now to debate it, if not — not debate, discuss it, I just want to know — you’re in a —  with all due respect, you’re in a position of power. The power to affect change is in your hands. We can’t discuss it, and it’s not possible to make any changes. When can we start talking about it? For me, this is the best day to speak about it. 

…

KING says Congress needs to unite. We require change. You’ve probably heard everyone say that we don’t require the love, the prayers, the support or the silence. These people are saying that we don’t need them anymore. That is why we don’t have it now. 

GONZALEZ – My community is man of faith. We welcome your prayers. I will give you an example of the work we did last year. I was with my county judge (a Democrat), and my mayor (a Republican). We sat down about a year back. What do you remember? Talking about the possibility of building a Uvalde mental health clinic, which is something that doesn’t exist, was a topic we discussed. This mental health clinic was funded by one of my community projects. The project is worth $20 million. Now, I want to figure out how I can raise the $18 million. As a parent, you should contact your school to find out their policies. You should find out where mental health services are available in your local area. Not only for yourself, but also for other people. These are the things that need to —  that brings us together. The tragedy that strikes doesn’t decide if you are a Republican or Democrat. Our country needs to unite, Gayle. We must not be divided.