Twitter vilifies Sarah Huckabee Sanders for her cold reaction to Saturday's mass shooting

Twitter vilifies Sarah Huckabee Sanders for her cold reaction to Saturday's mass shooting
Image via Screengrab.
Brandon Gage
March 21, 2022Bank

Former White House Press Secretary and Republican Arkansas gubernatorial candidate Sarah Huckabee Sanders is facing ferocious blowback for her cold and shallow reaction to Saturday evening's mass shooting in Dumas, Arkansas.

One person was killed and at least 28 others including six children were injured in the rampage, according to local law enforcement and media reports. The incident was "sparked by two men who who 'got in a gunfight' at a car show that was supposed to be a family-friendly event," The Daily Beast noted on Monday.

Police say that there were two shooters, one of whom died at the scene. The second was taken into custody.

Arkansas GOP Governor Asa Hutchinson released a statement on Sunday afternoon condemning the violence and promised to "examine details to see if there are any steps that could have been taken to prevent this type of tragedy." Whether that will include strengthening restrictions on firearms, however, is anybody's guess. Arkansas became a permitless, open-carry state in October of last year.

But it was the tone-deaf response shared by Sanders that sparked widespread public outrage.

"Prayers for the community of Dumas for the senseless and tragic shooting at a community event last night. Thankful for our law enforcement and first responders for their actions during this difficult time," Sanders tweeted early Sunday morning.

Observers reamed Sanders for avoiding the fundamental crux of the issue – that lax gun laws lead to unnecessary suffering and death.

People pointed out that prayers offer little solace to the communities, victims, and families whose lives are destroyed by preventable slaughter. And they contribute absolutely nothing toward solving the uniquely American problem.


In a dark twist just two days before the shooting, Sanders boasted about how easy it is to purchase weapons and alcohol together at Arkansas retailers.

"You know you’re in God’s country when you can get a 12 pack and a 12 gauge shotgun at your neighborhood Edward’s Food Giant!" Sanders wrote.

Twitter did not let her live it down.

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