Governor Walz Clarifies School Shooting Gaffe Following Debate

[Social Media]

 

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz sought to clarify a controversial comment made during a debate in which he appeared to claim he had become “friends with school shooters.” Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Walz explained that his words were meant to address his relationships with individuals affected by school shootings, not perpetrators. 

 

“I was talking about meeting people where there are school shooters, and I need to be more specific on that,” Walz stated to an NBC News reporter during a campaign stop in Pennsylvania. The governor expressed the deep personal connection both he and his wife, who are former teachers, feel about the issue. “But I am passionate about this. This one, for my wife and I, is just, as teachers, as parents, is so personal.”

 

Walz recalled his time as a congressman, during which he met with parents of children killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in Connecticut. He also mentioned his friendship with David Hogg, a survivor of the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, further explaining the experiences that have shaped his views on gun violence and gun control.

 

The comment, made during a vice-presidential debate on Tuesday night, quickly drew criticism from some conservative commentators. A clip of the moment was widely shared on social media, where many took issue with his phrasing. However, the full context of his statement provides a more nuanced understanding of his position. During the debate, Walz was asked about his evolving stance on gun restrictions. 

 

Walz opened his response by saying he had become "friends with school shooters," before expanding on how his views on guns have shifted over time. He shared a personal anecdote from earlier in his life when he kept a shotgun in his car to go hunting after coaching football practice. However, meeting with survivors and victims of school shootings profoundly changed his outlook. “Sometimes it just is the guns. It’s just the guns,” Walz said. “And there are things that you can do about it.”

 

He emphasized the importance of finding common ground on the issue, one that balances both the right to bear arms and the safety of children. “But I do think that this is one, and I think this is a healthy conversation. I think there’s a capacity to find solutions on this that work, protect Second Amendment, protect our children. That’s our priority,” Walz added, underscoring his belief in the possibility of bipartisan solutions to gun violence.

 

While his misstatement was the subject of ridicule, Walz’s clarification reflects his commitment to addressing gun violence in a meaningful way, shaped by personal encounters with those who have been deeply affected by school shootings.

 

Based on a report from: The Hill 2024-10-04

 

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

1 hour ago, Social Media said:

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz sought to clarify a controversial comment made during a debate in which he appeared to claim he had become “friends with school shooters.” Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Walz explained that his words were meant to address his relationships with individuals affected by school shootings, not perpetrators. 

Just what the US needs, a VP that doesn't know what he is saying.

Is this a case of Biden Mk2?

[Jingthing]

3 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Just what the US needs, a VP that doesn't know what he is saying.

Is this a case of Biden Mk2?

Total bull.

It was just a gaffe.

Nothing to do with BIden.

I knew what he meant when he said it because you'd have to be certifiable to actually believe he was making friends with shooters.

You're letting your extremist maga advocacy overrule basic reason. 

[Hanaguma]

I have to agree that this really isn't such a big deal. He was nervous, and either poorly- or over-prepared for the debate. He was stumbling over his words and his memorized scripts on more than one occasion. I'm sure he meant to say "friends with the victims of school shooters" or something like that.  

 

Same as when he said, "I used to ride my bike with my friends until the streetlights came on. And I'm proud of that service".  He mixed up a couple of talking points and what came out of his mouth was nonsense.  

[JonnyF]

Just another gaffe from the self declared Knucklehead.

 

He's resembling George Costanza more and more every day.

 

[Red Forever]

If this is all the rabid right can muster then Kamala and Tim are a shoe in.

Old man Donny's been quiet lately apart from a televised soft ball "interview" with Kelly Anne Conway.

[impulse]

22 minutes ago, Red Forever said:

If this is all the rabid right can muster then Kamala and Tim are a shoe in.

Old man Donny's been quiet lately apart from a televised soft ball "interview" with Kelly Anne Conway.

 

I'm seeing a lot more effort by the Dems to make it go away, than from the Repubs who mostly know it was just a gaffe.

 

[CMHomeboy78]

He's dumb as dirt and he knows it.

[john donson]

if they are all members of the NRA , they are indeed friends with shooters

[Yagoda]

17 minutes ago, john donson said:

if they are all members of the NRA , they are indeed friends with shooters

He is friends with me? How do I get rid of him.?

[expat_4_life]

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

I knew what he meant when he said it because you'd have to be certifiable to actually believe he was making friends with shooters.
You're letting your extremist maga advocacy overrule basic reason. 

 

I agree with u .... exactly like when Trump said "there were fine people on both sides"
 

I knew he meant there were "fine people advocating for the statues to either be removed or to stay" - you'd have to be certifiable to actually believe he was praising the neo-nazis.
 

Yet, some folks are letting their extremist advocacy overrule basic reason and continue to repeat variations of this - even candidate Harris said during the debate "Let's remember Charlottesville, where there was a mob of people carrying tiki torches, spewing anti-Semitic hate. And what did the president, then at the time say? There were fine people on each side," Harris said.

[Jingthing]

11 minutes ago, expat_4_life said:

 

I agree with u .... exactly like when Trump said "there were fine people on both sides"
 

I knew he meant there were "fine people advocating for the statues to either be removed or to stay" - you'd have to be certifiable to actually believe he was praising the neo-nazis.
 

Yet, some folks are letting their extremist advocacy overrule basic reason and continue to repeat variations of this - even candidate Harris said during the debate "Let's remember Charlottesville, where there was a mob of people carrying tiki torches, spewing anti-Semitic hate. And what did the president, then at the time say? There were fine people on each side," Harris said.

Not the same.

Trump invites Nazis to dinner.

 

[expat_4_life]

37 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Not the same.

Trump invites Nazis to dinner.

 

 

Yeah, sure he does - along with the Jewish members of his family, it's a love fest.

You realize how ridiculous your claim is right?

[Jingthing]

1 hour ago, expat_4_life said:

 

Yeah, sure he does - along with the Jewish members of his family, it's a love fest.

You realize how ridiculous your claim is right?

Wrong.

 

 

Also never forget Proud Boys stand back.and stand by.

 

Or saying he will blame the Jews if he loses.

 

Etc. Etc.

[JonnyF]

I suspect the Dems might be putting Dim Tim in the same basement that Harris has been hiding in. 

 

He can barely open his mouth without putting his foot in it. 

[illisdean]

2 hours ago, CMHomeboy78 said:

He's dumb as dirt and he knows it.

But he has great arm flapping and waving skills on display in PA. Kind like he's wound up a little too tight and maybe he's too stupid to understand what he's saying when he alludes to being friends with a school shooter. Not what America needs in the WH, he can stay in MN and be friends with school shooters and spout stolen valor lies.

 

 

[TroubleandGrumpy]

6 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Total bull.

It was just a gaffe.

Nothing to do with BIden.

I knew what he meant when he said it because you'd have to be certifiable to actually believe he was making friends with shooters.

You're letting your extremist maga advocacy overrule basic reason. 

ROFLOL - unbelievable - the mindset is astounding - truly delusional.

 

Do you remember when Trump spoke about 'nice people on both sides'? The media lied and distorted his comments and years later they still do not correct that lie. Kamala said it again at the debate (as did Biden) and yet the moderators never 'fact checked' her for that lie and several others.   And I could give many more examples of where the media lied and distorted Trump's comments.

 

But here we are where Walz makes a truly stupid gaff - and the media are all stating that he did not mean it, that it was a gaff, and that he was flustered. They never did that for anything they lied/distorted about Trump. To this day some very seriously 'damaged' people still think Trump said what the media claimed he said - because they did not immediately come out and correct the mistake - and in fact they kept repeating it - because they wanted it to be true - because they have TH (Trump Hatred).   

 

As many GOP Members and Senators have said - during election times (and 24x7x365 about Trump) the MSM are the PR wing of the DNC.  I wonder what media laws Trump will implement regarding what the MSM states publicly - I reckon he will make an Executive Order and get DOJ to enforce the rule that to knowingly publish lies and distortions about political candidates and those in the House and Senate is election interference and/or insurrection - and get the DOJ to enforce it rigorously.  The onus will be on the news/media organisation to show to a Court why they believed it was true - not on the victim to prove they knowingly did it. 

[illisdean]

10 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

I suspect the Dems might be putting Dim Tim in the same basement that Harris has been hiding in. 

 

He can barely open his mouth without putting his foot in it. 

He should just admit he lied (multiple lies), make an explanation as to why, apologize and move on INSTEAD of making up stupid and benign verbal concoctions that do nothing but inflame listeners and make it worse. He's such a pathetic loser. Listen to this nonsense verbal vomit response about democracy, his students, Donald Trump, Xi Jinping....lol

 

 

[proton]

The 'knuckle head' mis spoke again, this chump is not VP material

[illisdean]

16 minutes ago, proton said:

The 'knuckle head' mis spoke again, this chump is not VP material

Let the truth be told...

 

 

[Yagoda]

7 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Not the same.

Trump invites Nazis to dinner.

 

Powerless loons, while Kamala helps the Iranians kill Jews. Or actually some poor Arab dude going to work, their aim isnt very good.

[chondan]

When the riots and arson going on in MPLS the Gov. said "let it burn"  his nickname in MN is (Let it burn}