STORY: "They're all cowards! They won't do anything to save the lives of our children. Cowards," Bowman said to reporters assembled outside the chamber.

Massie, a Kentucky Republican, walked up to Bowman and asked him what he was talking about.

"I'm talking about gun violence!" Bowman shouted.

Massie told Bowman there had never been a shooting at a school where teachers were allowed to carry guns.

“More guns lead to more death,” Bowman responded.

“Look at the data. You’re not looking at any data,” he added

Massie responded by asking Bowman if he would co-sponsor a bill to repeal the federal ban on carrying guns in schools

The exchange took place two days after a 28-year-old former student opened fire inside a private Christian academy in Nashville, Tennessee.

Tennessee is one of 25 U.S. states that allows people to carry concealed guns without a permit.

Democrats and gun safety activists have argued that passing stricter laws would reduce the violence, whereas Republicans and gun rights advocates argue that arming teachers would act as a deterrent.