Sanders’ callous comments drew boos from the debate crowd and shots on Twitter from gun control advocates.
Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders clashed on the issue of gun control at Thursday's Democratic debate in Brooklyn.
Bernie Sanders once again misfired on the topic of gun control at Thursday’s Democratic debate— refusing an apology to the families of Sandy Hook victims for his risible views.
“YOU DO OWE AN APOLOGY!” Erica Smegielski, daughter of Sandy Hook victim Dawn Hochsprung, tweeted as the debate aired on CNN and NY1.
“Stop siding with the gun manufacturers and stand with the Sandy hook families,” she wrote.
Sanders controversially told the Daily News Editorial Boardhe does not believe victims of gun violence should be allowed to sue weapons manufacturers. His stance flies in the face of Sandy Hook families who are now working to do just that.
At the debate, Clinton seized on Sanders after she said the two had “a lot of difference” on gun control — and Sanders chuckled.
“This isn't a laughing matter,” Clinton told him.
. @BernieSandersYOU DO OWE AN APOLOGY! Your round about answer was just not good enough!
— Erica L Smegielski (@EricaSmegs) April 15, 2016“Ninety people on average are killed or commit suicide or die from accidents with guns (daily) — 33,000 people a year. I take it really seriously.”
Later, Wolf Blitzer asked Sanders if he felt he owed the Sandy Hook families an apologies for his comments.
“No, I don't think I owe them an apology,” Sanders said.
“They have a right to sue, and I support them.”
The Vermont senator has argued he wants to protect rural and independent firearm dealers from legal trouble.
But his views didn’t sit well with the Brooklyn crowd, which loudly booed his Sandy Hook shun.