Karen Mallard is a Democratic candidate seeking to replace current GOP Rep. Scott Taylor in Virginia, and she was sickened by the recent deaths of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
To show her support for the brave young people who survived the Parkland shooting and are now advocating stronger gun control, Mallard posted a video on Facebook in which she cut up an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle like the one used to devastating effect in Florida.
On a blog post along with the video Mallard announced:
“You may have seen Emma Gonzalez’s amazing speech where she called out Trump and other politicians for taking NRA money and refusing to take any action on reforming America’s lax gun laws. The speech was amazing, and the fact that our young people are refusing to be silent victims and are demanding change gives me great hope. I believe gun reform can happen, and I stand with these students as they speak truth to power and march for their lives.
“It’s also why my husband and I decided to destroy his AR-15.”
Using a grinder, Mallard then cut the barrel off the AR-15 and turned over what remained to local law enforcement. Local police confirm they have what’s left of the gun in their possession.
Sounds like Ms. Mallard had every right to do what she did, doesn’t it? But now she’s being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. As a local TV station reported:
“The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is investigating congressional candidate Karen Mallard after she posted a video on Facebook that shows her cutting apart an AR-15 rifle.”
As you would expect, gun nuts on social media immediately attacked Mallard in predictable fashion:
This is @KarenMallard. She's running for congress in Virginia. She recently committed a felony in her ignorance about guns and gun laws. Don't be like Karen. pic.twitter.com/lc7SzEFdQ8
— Brandon Morse (@TheBrandonMorse) March 8, 2018
It's facinating that this "teacher" is oblivious to the law…she didn't not make this AR-15 "inoperable" – she only shortened the barrel – making it an illegal weapon and her committing a felony…this level of incompetenceis what the @DNC would support running for Congress!? https://t.co/71H69YGTFv
— Tony Shaffer (@T_S_P_O_O_K_Y) March 8, 2018
Why is it that the NRA and gun enthusiasts are more than willing to defend people who want to use guns to kill others, but they’re silent when someone decides to make the world a safer place by actually taking one of these weapons of mass murder out of commission?