Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie criticized for blaming mass shootings on 'both sides'

A dozen mass shootings have been reported in the US on the heels of the Buffalo mass shooting and the Uvalde mass shootings. Former New Jersey Republican governor Chris Christie came under fire for suggesting that both sides of the political spectrum are to blame for the mass shootings in the country.

Christie got into a heated exchange with ABC host George Stephanopoulos regarding the recent Uvalde mass shooting that killed 19 children and two adults. The former governor said he would not be taking much action because of the state’s laws on firearms.

When Stephanopoulos questioned if it is really an issue of both sides of the political spectrum, Christie responded that both sides of the political spectrum “create the atmosphere.”

“Is this really a ‘both sides’ issue, though?” questioned Stephanopoulos.

“No, I think both sides create the atmosphere,” said Christie.

“So where the president has said the stuff that he’s said in his speech the other evening [last] week and the emotion he says it with, he is essentially trying to imply that people that disagree with him are immoral. And I think when you start raising it to that level, you better win because if you don’t, the other side will never move towards you ever if you’re going to say this is a purely moral issue and if you don’t agree with me, yeah, then you’re immoral.”

Democratic strategist Donna Brazile then responded that mass shootings are indeed an issue of morality. Brazile said that it is an issue of morality citing that “it’s taking the lives of innocent children” and others in everyday places.

Meanwhile, senators are engaging in bipartisan discussions to produce legislation that could prevent future shootings from taking place. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said Sunday that lawmakers were discussing the 2018 laws passed in Florida following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The survivors of the shooting organized to demand action from lawmakers.

The laws that were passed raised the age limit to 21 in purchasing long guns including AR-15s,, required a three-day waiting period for purchases, and authorized law enforcement officials to take away the firearms of those who pose a threat to themselves or others, as well as making investments in mental health and the security of schools.

However, the proposal that lawmakers on both sides are presenting does not have the provision for expanded background checks, despite 88 percent of Americans supporting the requirement.