Senator Marco Rubio picked one of the worst days to critique the movement against gun violence.
The Florida Congressman had the gall to say the march "in favor a gun ban" wouldn't create any political change, ABC News reports. His statement, which was rather sympathetic to the "other Americans who do not support a gun ban," was issued by his office (and also tweeted out) shortly before this past Saturday's March for Our Lives demonstration was over.
My full statement on today's marches: pic.twitter.com/ZpRNotSbyP
Rubio commended those protesting because they exercised their First Amendment rights to demonstrate and made a point to respect his opponents' views, although of course, he doesn't agree with them. However, the tone quickly changed from centering the demonstrators to those who stayed home because they didn't support gun bans. He insinuated that anti-gun violence activists and advocates, including survivors of mass shootings, needed to work with their opposition to create any political change. Therefore, "common ground" needs to be established to pass legislation.
Rubio's statement cited the STOP School Violence Act, which according to POLITICO, lacks sufficient gun control measures. A bill that could've actually made a difference—which would have banned assault rifles, such as the one Nikolas Cruz owned—failed to pass by Florida state legislators, just a week after the February 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
