Republicans blame ‘left-wing rhetoric and extremism’ for Wednesday’s shooting, Democrats target lax gun control norms

Baseball teams of Republican and Democratic lawmakers will wear Louisiana State University (LSU) uniform on Thursday’s charity match between them to show solidarity with Congressman Steve Scalise, who was seriously injured in a shooting rampage on Wednesday, but the incident has only deepened the divisions in American politics. Mr. Scalise, a Louisiana Republican, wears LSU gear in the field, and is in critical condition after a surgery.

Four others were also injured in the incident and the gunman, who posted Facebook messages against President Donald Trump and Republicans, was killed by the police.

“We are strongest when we are unified, and when we work together for the common good,” Mr. Trump said in a measured response. “An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us,” House Speaker Paul Ryan said. The sentiments were echoed by Democratic leader in the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosy, but all that may have done little to unify a country where political divide remains deep.

Many Republican lawmakers and commentators blamed “Left wing rhetoric and extremism” for the incident, while Democrats and progressive groups cited the lax gun regulation that allows even serial offenders such as the gunman in this instance to carry weapons.

The 66-year-old man from Illinois named James Hodgkinson had a history of violence, volunteered for Bernie Sanders’s presidential campaign and argued for higher taxes on the rich. Democrats and rights groups had blamed the President’s campaign for the spate in violence against immigrants, such as the killing of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla in February.

Laura Ingraham, a popular, conservative radio host, said on Twitter: “Dems' wearing LSU uniform at Cong baseball game’s a nice gesture. Denouncing hateful, violent rhetoric & imagery wd be more significant.” Joe Walsh, former GOP Congressman-turned-radio-host, tweeted: “An evil leftist targeted Republicans.” Newt Gingrich, former Speaker and a staunch supporter of Mr. Trump, said, the “Left-wing rhetoric” has sent a “signal” that “it’s okay to hate Trump, it’s okay to think of Trump in violent terms”. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL), said: “Political rhetorical terrorism” led to the incident.

Divergent positions

Democrats and progressive groups have called for more effective gun control to prevent such situations, but on that topic too, both camps have taken entirely divergent positions. After Mr. Trump’s victory, the National Rifle Association has launched a new camping with Republican supporters in the U.S. Congress to remove the limited restrictions on firearms that exist today.

Meanwhile, another Republican lawmaker from New York Claudia Tenney received a threatening email soon after the shooting incidence. “One down, 216 to go,” it said, referring to the halfway mark in the House. “Did you NOT expect this? When you take away ordinary people’s very lives in order to pay off the wealthiest among us, your own lives are forfeit. Certainly, your souls and morality were lost long before. Good riddance,” the email went on to say.

Incidents of threats of violence against politicians have been on the rise. Kim Weaver, the Democratic nominee who planned to challenge Republican Representative Steve King in Iowa withdrew from the contest citing threats to her life.