A US congressman has faced widespread condemnation after posting a Christmas photograph of his family posing with military-style rifles, days after a deadly school shooting in Michigan. Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie shared the image on Twitter with the caption: 'Merry Christmas! ps. Santa, please bring ammo'.
The post drew sharp criticism from families affected by gun violence and figures across the political spectrum. Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter Jaime was killed in the 2018 Parkland school shooting, responded by posting a photo of Jaime and her gravestone. Manuel Oliver, whose son Joaquin also died in Parkland, told CNN the tweet was in 'the worst taste ever'.
Some fellow Republicans also condemned the post. Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger mocked Massie for displaying a 'gun fetish', while former Trump communications director Anthony Scaramucci offered to fund any candidate running against Massie in next year's congressional elections. However, conservative figures such as Colorado Representative Lauren Boebert defended the post, calling it 'my kind of Christmas card'.
Massie, a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment, has consistently opposed gun control measures. In April, he introduced a bill to lower the minimum age for handgun purchases from 21 to 18. His office has not responded to requests for comment on the controversy.
