During the October 2024 vice-presidential debate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz made an awkward gaffe when he said, “I’ve become friends with school shooters.” This comment was part of a larger discussion about his shift in stance on gun control, specifically about assault weapons.
Walz, who once had strong ties with the NRA, was explaining how meeting with families affected by tragedies like the Sandy Hook shooting led him to reconsider his position. However, he misspoke, saying he became friends with “school shooters” instead of clarifying that he meant families of victims affected by school shootings.
The statement caused immediate backlash. Public figures, including Donald Trump and Elon Musk, criticized the remark, interpreting it as highly inappropriate.
“Why aren’t the after shows talking about the fact that Walz said, “I’m friends with school shooters,” former President Donald Trump asked.
However, Walz supporters, including activists like Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter was killed in the Parkland shooting, quickly came to his defense, emphasizing that it was clearly a verbal slip and that he meant to refer to victims’ families.
Walz did not correct the record during the debate, which amplified the controversy.
Nonetheless, his track record on gun control has been noted, with many pointing out his strong advocacy for stricter gun laws, particularly after distancing himself from the NRA in recent years.
