“The View” co-host Whoopi Goldberg targeted the sale of assault rifles including the AR-15 during a fiery rant on Tuesday following the deadly mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.
The talk show’s panelists held a lengthy discussion about how lawmakers should reply to the shooting, which left 21 dead, including 19 children and two teachers.
Goldberg said the AR-15 and similar rifles must be banned, arguing that the gun has “got to go” because there’s “an excessive amount of at stake” following recent mass shootings.
“I don’t care, NRA — you’ve got to present that gun up. You may have your other ‘yee-haw’ guns, whatever you wish,” Goldberg said. “The AR-15 will not be a hunting gun. It will not be a gun where you’re going to exit and shoot your dinner. This gun is supposed to kill people, that’s what it’s for, and you may’t have it anymore.”
“And I’m not even going to let you know how pissed I’m that so many people are saying, ‘Well, you may’t have what you wish to your body. Forget my body,’” Goldberg added. “You may’t have this gun since it kills people and kids and I’m sick of it.”
Goldberg expanded on her stance later within the conversation, comparing gun ownership rights to the continued debate over abortion rights after a leaked opinion earlier this month suggested the Supreme Court was preparing a reversal of Roe v. Wade.
“I don’t want all of your guns the best way you don’t need to take away all my rights to abortion,” Goldberg added. “I don’t want all of your guns. I need that AR-15. I need it. And we’re going to vote it out. So it’s going to not be acceptable.”
Salvador Ramos, who committed the college massacre before being shot dead by law enforcement, legally purchased two AR-15-style rifles for his 18th birthday.
AR-15-style rifles have been utilized in multiple mass shootings.AFP via Getty Images
Buffalo supermarket mass shooting suspect Payton Gendron is charged with using an analogous style rifle to kill 10 people earlier this month.
The National Rifle Association didn’t immediately return a request for comment on Goldberg’s remarks.
President Biden is amongst those that have signaled support for a ban on assault-style weapons, including the AR-15. Meanwhile, gun rights proponents argue that such a ban would infringe on the Second Amendment.
A mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, left 21 people dead, including 19 children.AFP via Getty Images
Goldberg previously expressed outrage toward Republican lawmakers over the controversy, declaring last week that she would “punch any individual” if she heard one other GOP politician offer condolences to shooting victims without supporting latest gun control measures.
