Midtown NYC Shooting Sparks Gun Control Debate
The shooting involving several people that took place near the Empire State Building in New York City Friday morning has sparked a debate about gun control on Twitter. At least two people, including alleged gunman Jeffrey Johnson, were killed in the incident near the popular NYC attraction.
According to New York City Mayor Bloomberg, Johnson, 53, is the gunman who began to shoot at others outside the popular tourist destination after being fired from a job one year ago. The shooting took place on Fifth Avenue and 34th Street around 9 a.m., according to NBC News.
Police reportedly arrived at the scene just minutes after being called when shots were fired, according to the publication. According to Bloomberg, nine people were shot.
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Some people took to Twitter to speak about the irony of New York City having strict gun control laws yet being a victim of gun violence.
"Oh wow, a shooting in #nyc, a state with some of the toughest #gun control laws in the country," one person tweeted. "Go figure."
Others thought the shooting proved that NYC gun control laws were ineffective and speculated that the National Rifle Association would jump on board with similar claims.
"Sadly, you can bet NRA & polls will say shooting in NYC proves gun control ineffective," the person stated
Still, another person noticed that gun control laws only work for law abiding citizens, not criminals.
"NYC has European style gun control/bans and it has a shooting," the person tweeted. "Gun control only works for the honest citizens not for criminals #NRA #TCOT."
However, some felt that guns needed to stop being blamed in shootings, since individuals make the decision as to how to use the weapons.
"Mass shooting in NYC; gun not responsible, man is," the person tweeted. "Now not time to discuss gun laws. #FoxNewsLede #NRA."
