“Devastated” GOP Congressman Who Represents the Covenant School’s District Posed in Gun-Toting Christmas Card

In the wake of Monday’s shooting at Nashville’s Covenant School, which left at least three children and three adults dead, Tennessee representative Andy Ogles, who represents the school’s district, issued a statement, writing, in part: “My family and I are devastated by the tragedy that took place at The Covenant School in Nashville this morning. We are sending our thoughts and prayers to the families of those lost. As a father of three, I am utterly heartbroken by this senseless act of of violence.” Obviously, Republican calls for “thoughts and prayers” have long been a meaningless offering in light of the party’s consistent refusal to actually do anything to stop gun violence. But Ogles’s use of the phrase, in addition to his claim of being both “devastated” and “heartbroken,” rings even more hollow in light of his undeniable celebration of killing machines.

Take a look at the Christmas portrait Ogles chose to pose for, and disseminate, in 2021. It features his entire family, save for the very youngest, posing in front of a tree holding assault-style rifles. As The Washington Post noted at the time, Ogles, who was then the mayor of Maury County, Tennessee, posted the photo alongside the caption, “The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference — they deserve a place of honor with all that’s good,” a quote often dubiously attributed to George Washington.

Offensive Christmas photos aside, Ogles’s claim of being devastated by today’s shooting is pretty absurd his record on gun control. As mayor, he signed a resolution “declaring [his county] a sanctuary community for the constitutional right to bear arms.” On his congressional campaign website, he promised: “I will fight tirelessly to ensure that your constitutional rights are protected and never infringed upon. Disarming the people is the most effective way to enslave them, and we must remain vigilant when anyone seeks to erode our civil liberties.” In January, he cosponsored a bill that would allow people with concealed carry licenses or permits to carry a weapon in any other state. And just this month, he cosponsored legislation that would prohibit the federal government from creating a federal firearms registry.   

Naturally, Ogles talks a big game about protecting children—not, of course, from things that could actually hurt them, but from made-up bullshit like “woke indoctrination.”

Unsurprisingly, Ogles isn’t the only Republican hypocrite out in full force in Tennessee today. Senator Marsha Blackburn had the audacity to tweet this…