Georgia Rep. Mike Collins is being criticized on social media after saying he's "praying" for the victims of Wednesday's Apalachee High School shooting in the state, with users quickly pointing out campaign ads in which he was wielding rifles.
"Leigh Ann and I are praying for the victims, their families, and all students at Apalachee High School in Barrow County. We extend our gratitude to law enforcement for their swift action to secure the school and get the shooter in custody. I have spoken with Sherriff Smith and told him my team and I are available to assist in any way necessary. We will continue to monitor and provide updates as prudent," said Collins, who represents the district in which the school is located, in a publication on X.
However, his responses were filled with references to a campaign ad of his in which he falsely claimed that Donald Trump won the state in the 2020 elections. All of his message was focused on rejecting Biden's victory, but he did so holding an assault rifle, and then ended by shooting a trash can with a sign saying "voting machine" on it.
Mike Collins represents GA-10 where Apalachee High School is located. Here's the commercial he made when he first ran for congress.pic.twitter.com/nvU28l8cUZ https://t.co/JxaLwAVlNZ
— Blue Georgia (@BlueATLGeorgia) September 4, 2024
At least four people have died and roughly 30 were injured in the shooting, some of them critically injured, according to local law enforcement. A suspect of student age is in custody but it is unclear whether they attend the school. All schools in the district were place on lockdown and police were sent out of caution. There are no reports of secondary incidents.
Another Republican on the receiving end of criticism is Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who also offered prayers after the shooting. In an X post, Greene posted: "Please join me in prayer for all the students, staff, and families at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga."
X user JoJoFromJerz, who often posts anti-MAGA content pulled images of Greene with guns from a 2022 campaign ad that included the text "I'm going to blow away the Democrats" on the screen.
Other critics are highlighting what they consider Georgia's "lax" gun laws after the school shooting.
"We know it's back-to-school in America because the shootings have already started. Georgia has among the weakest gun laws in America," Shannon Watts, a founder of gun control group Emerita wrote on X.
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