Democrat Randy Bryce Hits Paul Ryan On Gun Control Inaction

RACINE, WI — Democrat Randy Bryce is calling out Wisconsin First District Congressman Paul Ryan, demanding he take action on "reasonable gun controls" in addition to asking why he didn't speak with students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida who survived a deadly school shooting on Feb. 14 that left 17 people dead.

"If Speaker Ryan could make time for a fundraiser just 60 miles from the school and if he could make time for a visit to the Mar-a-Lago resort, then he should have made time for the Parkland students," said Bryce, who is challenging Ryan in Wisconsin's First District. "Those students have lost friends and teachers as well as their sense of safety and security. The very least Speaker Ryan could have done is have a conversation with them, and explain why he is not even allowing a vote on gun reform. But since he didn't make time in Florida, he should do it now with the students he directly represents.

Bryce is referring to a report that accuses Ryan and key GOP leaders of failing to meet with Parkland students about an hour's drive away in favor of attending a National Republican Congressional Committee fundraiser that was planned several months in advance.

Ryan's attendance made national headlines after he ended up getting into a confrontation with a 49-year-old schoolteacher from Biscayne, Florida during the event.

According to a Miami Herald article, Maria Thorne said this of the encounter:

“I shook his hand and everything,” she said — and introduced herself as a teacher and Key Biscayner.
“Nice,” the Republican congressman replied.
“Nice?” Thorne said. “You’re here celebrating the death of 17 children.”
At that, Thorne said, Ryan told her he “didn’t want to talk politics” or argue.

Thorne was escorted out of the meeting space by security.

Do Something

Bryce, a gun owner with a son attending public school in Ryan's District, also dropped off a letter at Ryan's Constituent Services office in Downtown Racine this week with more than 16,000 signatures collected just over the weekend. The letter reads in part, "Since you don’t do town halls anymore, I needed to find a way to let you know, the parents of your districts are feeling scared tonight Speaker Ryan, and we need more than your thoughts and prayers."

A billboard calling on Ryan to take reasonable steps on gun reform also went up in his hometown of Janesville, this week.

Submitted Photo, Published With Permission