On Saturday’s episode of MSNBC’s Velshi, Tennessee State Representative Justin Jones condemned the common response of offering “thoughts and prayers” after mass shootings, calling it “a form of theological malpractice.” A former minister, Jones argued that prayer without legislative action is morally irresponsible when lawmakers have the power to prevent violence.
“I was a minister, and that is a form of theological malpractice when you pray for something that you have the power to change,” Jones said. He sharply criticized Tennessee Republicans for their handling of gun policy in the wake of the 2023 Covenant School shooting in Nashville, where six people were killed, including three children.
Jones pointed out that the only legislative response from the Republican-controlled legislature after the tragedy was to pass a law shielding gun manufacturers from lawsuits. “That’s what they did after children were killed in a school,” he said. “It is cruel, it is shameful, it’s immoral.”
The Democrat lawmaker accused his colleagues of ignoring the opportunity to act. “Keep your thoughts and prayers, keep your tweets,” Jones said. “If you wanna address gun violence, you don’t need a tweet; what you need is a mirror.”
Jones warned that inaction would eventually hit closer to home for lawmakers who continue to block gun control measures. “Sooner or later it’s gonna hit home. And then it’ll be too late.”
The remarks come amid ongoing national debate over firearms legislation. Republicans maintain that Second Amendment rights must be preserved and argue that mental health and security enhancements are more effective solutions than banning guns.
