Sen. Jeff Flake Jeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeJeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Republican former Michigan governor says he's voting for Biden Maybe they just don't like cowboys: The president is successful, some just don't like his style MORE (R-Ariz.) ripped Rep. Ralph Norman Ralph Warren NormanHouse Dems introduce bill to require masks on planes and in airports Bipartisan bill introduced to require TSA to take temperature checks House Republicans urge White House to support TSA giving travelers temperature checks MORE (R-S.C.) for suggesting that former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D) wouldn’t have been shot if she had been armed.

“I sincerely hope you never have to experience what my friend @gabbygiffords experienced. But to suggest that she might have avoided being shot had she carried a weapon as she spoke to constituents that morning is inappropriate and inconsiderate,” Flake tweeted early Saturday.

I sincerely hope you never have to experience what my friend @gabbygiffords experienced. But to suggest that she might have avoided being shot had she carried a weapon as she spoke to constituents that morning is inappropriate and inconsiderate. https://t.co/gnuSko0qcB — Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) April 6, 2018

Giffords was shot in the head during a constituent event in 2011. She survived her injuries and has since emerged as a major advocate for gun control.

ADVERTISEMENT

Norman pulled out a loaded handgun during a meeting with constituents on Friday. He told The Post and Courier Friday that he used the weapon to make a point about how guns can be used in self-defense.

"I'm not going to be a Gabby Giffords," Norman said. "I don't mind dying, but whoever shoots me better shoot well or I'm shooting back."

The February mass shooting at a Parkland, Fla., high school sparked a national debate on gun laws, but efforts to pass gun legislation have since stalled in Congress.